Fiber Optic Systems

ABSTRACT

A tray may be arrangeable in a chassis that is slideably displaceable from a stowed position to a first use position or to a second use position. A flexible member may be coupled to a tray and provide for maintaining a bend radius of optical fibers received by the flexible member. The flexible member may include anti-jamming features to prevent links of the flexible member from jamming. A handle may be coupled to the tray and may be lockingly engageable with the flexible member. A faceplate may be couplable to a first end of the tray or to a second end of the tray, the faceplate to provide a respective cable management capability for a plurality of fibers received by the tray. The first end of the tray may have a first geometry symmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry of the second end of the tray.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application of an internationalpatent application PCT/US17/60360, filed Nov. 7, 2017, entitled “FiberOptic Systems”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/419,402, filed Nov. 8, 2016, entitled “Fiber OpticSystems” and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/539,539,filed Jul. 31, 2017, entitled “Configurable Fiber Cassette” all of whichare hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

An important consideration in data communication equipment is circuitdensity. Most central data communication locations have limited space.Therefore, there is a need to reduce the size of data communicationequipment, and install as much data communication equipment as possiblein a relatively small space at a central data communication location.

For data communication manufacturers, making high density trays can be achallenging process in which engineers develop trays to meet the highdensity needs of the central data communication locations whileprotecting communication lines, maintaining bend radii of thecommunication lines, and managing massive amounts of the communicationlines. This is particularly true for optical fiber communication lines,where the engineers create trays having a high density of opticalfibers.

Another important consideration in data communication equipment isconfigurability. Existing high density fiber trays can have limitedconfigurability and are generally dedicated to a particular cablemanagement use in the central data communication location. For example,existing high density fiber trays have front cable management featuresdedicated to specific cable types and a back cable management featuresdedicated to specific cable types. Dedicated front and back cablemanagement features may be exacerbated when making a high density fibertray exclusively for a particular high density fiber application. Forexample, existing high density fiber trays may be manufacturedexclusively for application in a chassis, application in a cabinet, awall mount application, etc. Where existing high density fiber trays maybe manufactured exclusively for a particular high density fiberapplication, each of the existing high density fiber trays may havedifferent front cable management features dedicated to specific cabletypes and/or different back cable management features dedicated tospecific cable types exclusively for the particular high density fiberapplication. Because each high density fiber tray may have differentfront cable management features dedicated to specific cable types and/ordifferent back cable management features dedicated to specific cabletypes this reduces the configurability of the high density fiber trays,thereby reducing margins by increasing the cost of manufacturing andincreasing manufacturing lead times of high density fiber trays.Therefore, there is a desire to maximize margins by decreasing a cost ofmanufacturing the high density fiber trays, as well as maximizing atray's utility in a number of applications by making them easily factoryconfigurable.

SUMMARY

Data communication apparatus are described which are configured to havea tray arrangeable in a chassis where the tray is slideably displaceablefrom a stowed position to a first use position or to a second useposition, and a shuttle member may be arranged in a cassette arranged inthe tray, where the shuttle member may be slideably displaceable from afirst position to a second position. This summary is provided tointroduce simplified concepts of fiber optic tray systems, which arefurther described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is notintended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter,nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimedsubject matter.

In an example, a data communication apparatus includes a cassetteincluding a shuttle member arranged in a first end of the cassetteopposite a connector fastening station arranged in a second end of thecassette. The shuttle member may be slideably displaceable from a firstposition to a second position, wherein when in the first position theshuttle member is disposed a distance from the connector fasteningstation, and when in the second position the shuttle member is disposeda distance from the connector fastening station greater than thedistance when the shuttle member is in the first position. The connectorfastening station may provide for fastening respective connectors to aportion of the second end of the cassette via the shuttle memberincrementally over time.

In an example, a data communication apparatus may include a 19 inchchassis having a left side and a right side, and the tray may be astandard tray arrangeable in both the left side and the right side ofthe 19 inch chassis.

In other examples, a data communication apparatus may include a flexiblemember having an end coupleable to a first end of the tray or a secondend of the tray. The flexible member may provide for maintaining a bendradius of optical fibers received by the flexible member when the trayis slideably displaced from the stowed position to the first useposition or to the second use position.

In another example, a data communication apparatus may include a brakingmember arrangeable adjacent to the first side or the second side of thechassis. The braking member may include one or more protrusions having ahaving offset points of contact that provide for gripping a plurality ofoptical fibers arranged in the protrusions. The braking member mayprovide for preventing the plurality of optical fibers from beingdisplaced, relative to the protrusions, up to a threshold amount offorce applied to the optical fibers.

In an example, a data communication apparatus may include a secondcassette arranged in a second portion, adjacent to a first portion, of atray. In this example, the second cassette may include a first connectorfastening station arranged in a first end of the second cassette and asecond connector fastening station arranged in a second end, oppositethe first end, of the second cassette.

In another example, a data communication apparatus may include a secondcassette arranged in a second portion, adjacent to the first portion, ofthe tray. In this example, the second cassette may have a first portionadjacent to a second portion, and may include at least one connectormodule removeably receivable by the first portion or the second portionof the second cassette.

In an example, a data communication apparatus includes a cassette havinga first end opposite a second end. The first end may have a firstgeometry symmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry ofthe second end. A first connector fastening station may be arranged inthe first end of the cassette and may include a first plurality ofreceptacles. Each of the first plurality of receptacles may beconfigured to contain at least one of a first connector, a firstadapter, a first plug, or a first strain relief unit. A second connectorfastening station may be arranged in the second end of the cassette andmay include a second plurality of receptacles. Each of the secondplurality of receptacles may be configured to contain at least one of asecond connector, a second adapter, a second plug, or a second strainrelief unit. The first plurality of receptacles of the first connectorfastening station may be symmetrical, about the at least one axis, tothe second plurality of receptacles of the second connector fasteningstation.

In another example, a data communication apparatus may include a trayhaving a first end opposite a second end, and the tray is arrangeable inan enclosure. The tray may be slideably displaceable from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position. A flexiblemember may be coupled to the first end of the tray or to the second endof the tray and arranged to maintain a bend radius of optical fibersreceived by the flexible member when the tray is slideably displacedfrom the stowed position to the first use position or to the second useposition. A handle may be coupled to the first end of the tray or thesecond end of the tray to which the flexible member is coupled. Theflexible member and the handle may be lockingly engageable to (1) lockthe tray in the stowed position when a force is applied to the tray todisplace the tray from the stowed position to the first use position,and (2) unlock the tray from the stowed position when a force is appliedto the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to the seconduse position.

In other examples, a data communication apparatus may include a trayhaving a first end opposite a second end, and the tray is arrangeable inan enclosure. The tray may be slideably displaceable from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position. A flexiblemember may be coupled to the first end of the tray or to the second endof the tray and arranged to maintain a bend radius of optical fibersreceived by the flexible member when the tray is slideably displacedfrom the stowed position to the first use position or to the second useposition. The flexible member may include a first straight linkpivotably coupled to a second straight link, and a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink. A first anti-jamming feature may be arranged in the first straightlink, a second anti-jamming feature may be arranged in the secondstraight link, and a third anti-jamming feature may be arranged in thethird straight link. The first anti-jamming feature and the secondanti-jamming feature may cooperate to removeably fit together such thata first longitudinal axis of the first straight link is arrangedlinearly with a second longitudinal axis of the second straight link toprevent the first straight link from being jammed together with thesecond straight link. The second anti-jamming feature and the thirdanti-jamming feature may cooperate to removeably fit together such thata second longitudinal axis of the second straight link is arrangedperpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of the third straight link toprevent the second straight link and the third straight link from beingjammed together.

In an example, a data communication apparatus may include a tray havinga first end opposite a second end, the first end having a first geometrythat is symmetrical about at least one axis to a second geometry of thesecond end of the tray. First mounting members may be arranged in thefirst end of the tray, such that the mounting members may be configuredto mount any one of a plurality of faceplates. Each of the plurality offaceplates provide a respective cable management capability for aplurality of fibers received by the tray. Second mounting members may bearranged in the second end of the tray that may be configured to mountany one of the plurality of faceplates. The first mounting members maybe symmetrical about the at least one axis to the second mountingmembers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example data communicationapparatus having trays arranged in a chassis. FIG. 1 illustrates a trayin a first use position where a first end of the tray is disposed adistance external from a first access side of the chassis.

FIG. 2 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the tray in a second use position wherea second end of the tray is disposed a distance external from a secondaccess side of the chassis.

FIG. 3 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus shown in FIG. 1, with a top of the chassis removed (the top ofthe chassis not shown), and the tray in the first use position where aportion of the shuttle member is in a first position and disposed adistance external from the first access side of the chassis.

FIG. 4 illustrates the tray in the first use position shown in FIG. 3,and the shuttle member in a second position disposed a distance externalfrom the first access side of the chassis greater than a distance whenthe shuttle member was in a first position shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus shown in FIG. 1, with the top of the chassis removed (the topof the chassis not shown), and the tray in the second use position wherea portion of a connector fastening station is disposed a distanceexternal from the second access side of the chassis.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray shown in FIGS.1-5 with a first cassette arranged in a first portion of the tray, and asecond cassette arranged in a second portion, adjacent to the firstportion, of the tray. FIG. 6 illustrates a first position of the shuttlemember where the shuttle member is disposed a distance from theconnector fastening station.

FIG. 7 illustrates the perspective view of the example tray shown inFIG. 6, with the shuttle member in the second position, where theshuttle member may be disposed a distance from the connector fasteningstation greater than the distance when the shuttle member is in thefirst position shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray shown in FIGS.1-7 void of cassettes.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the example first cassetteshown in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 9 illustrates the shuttle member may bearranged in the first end of the cassette opposite the connectorfastening station arranged in the second end of the cassette.

FIG. 10 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassetteshown in FIG. 9, void of connectors (not shown) fastened to theconnector fastening station.

FIG. 11 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassetteshown in FIG. 10, void of the connector cover (not shown).

FIG. 12 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassetteshown in FIG. 10, void of the shuttle member (not shown).

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an example second cassette.FIG. 13 illustrates a first connector fastening station may be arrangedin a first end of the second cassette and a second connector fasteningstation may be arranged in a second end, opposite the first end, of thesecond cassette.

FIG. 14 illustrates the perspective view of the example second cassetteshown in FIG. 13, void of connectors (not shown) fastened to the firstand second connector fastening stations, and void of the cover (notshown) of the second cassette.

FIG. 15 illustrates the perspective view of the example second cassetteshown in FIG. 14, void of the connector covers (not shown) of the firstand second connector fastening stations.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an example third cassette.FIG. 16 illustrates connector modules may be removeably received byfirst and second portions of the third cassette.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric view of another example datacommunication apparatus having braking members.

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a sideview, and a perspective view of an example braking member.

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view, side view and perspective view of anexample link assembly, and top views and side views of respectiveexample links of the example link assembly.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of another example cassette. FIG.20 illustrates a first end of the cassette having a first geometrysymmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry of a secondend of the cassette.

FIG. 21 illustrates the perspective view of the example cassette shownin FIG. 20, void of connectors (not shown) fastened to the first andsecond connector fastening stations, and void of the cover (not shown)of the cassette.

FIG. 22 illustrates the perspective view of the example cassette shownin FIG. 20, void of the cover (not shown) of the cassette and void ofthe connector covers (not shown) of the first and second connectorfastening stations.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of the example cassette shown inFIG. 20, configured with a strain relief and connectors (e.g., LCconnectors and/or SC connectors splice configuration, or LC connectorsand/or SC connectors pre-terminated configuration).

FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded view of the example cassette configuredwith the strain relief and the connectors shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of the example cassette shown inFIG. 20, configured with an adapter and connectors (e.g., an MPO adapterto LC connectors configuration).

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view of the example cassette configuredwith the adapter and the connectors shown in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of the example cassette shown inFIG. 20, configured with connectors (e.g., connectors to connectorssplitter configuration).

FIG. 28 illustrates an exploded view of the example cassette configuredwith the connectors shown in FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exploded view of the example cassette shown inFIG. 20 configured with an adapter and connectors (e.g., an MPO adapterto LC connectors and/or SC connectors splitter configuration).

FIG. 30 illustrates a perspective view of an example data communicationapparatus, with a top of an enclosure removed (the top of the enclosurenot shown), an example tray in a first use position where a first end ofthe tray is disposed a distance external from a first access side of theenclosure, and an example tray in a stowed position where the first andsecond ends of the tray are located in the enclosure.

FIG. 31 illustrates a perspective view of the example data communicationapparatus, with the top of the enclosure removed (the top of theenclosure not shown), the example tray shown in FIG. 30 in a second useposition where a second end of the tray is disposed a distance externalfrom a second access side of the enclosure.

FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray in the firstuse position shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray in the seconduse position shown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view of an example tray in a stowedposition.

FIG. 35 illustrates perspective views of an example flexible member andan example handle that are lockingly engageable to (1) lock a tray in astowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displace the trayfrom the stowed position to the first use position, and (2) unlock thetray from the stowed position when a force is applied to the tray todisplace the tray from the stowed position to a second use position.

FIG. 36 illustrates detail views of the example flexible member and theexample handle shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 illustrates a bottom view of an example flexible member having aplurality of straight links, a top perspective view of the straightlink, and a bottom perspective view of the straight link.

FIG. 38 illustrates perspective views of an example straight link of aflexible member having a gate that receives optical fibers (not shown)when the gate is in an open position, and retains optical fibers whenthe gate is in a closed position.

FIG. 39 illustrates a detail view of a portion of the example straightlink shown in FIG. 38 having a center fastener and a base having atapered thickness starting at the center fastener for maximizing a fibercapacity within each link, while providing a maximum height of thecenter fastener.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view of an example tray having a firstend opposite a second end, the first end having a first geometrysymmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry of the secondend of the tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed to data communication apparatus having acassette arranged in a tray arranged in a chassis, where the tray isslideably displaceable from a stowed position to a first use position orto a second use position and at least a first portion of the cassette isdisposed a distance external from a first access side of the chassiswhen the tray is in the first use position, and at least a secondportion of the cassette is disposed a distance external from a secondaccess side of the chassis when the tray is in the second use position.Because the first portion of the cassette is disposed the distanceexternal from the first access side of the chassis when the tray is inthe first use position and the second portion of the cassette isdisposed the distance external from the second access side of thechassis when the tray is in the second use position, a user may patchcables from the first access side of the chassis to the second accessside of the chassis without the user reaching into the chassis toarrange the cables proximate to second access side of the chassis.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a flexiblemember that maintains a bend radius of optical fibers received by theflexible member when a tray is slideably displaced from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position. Theflexible member may include at least a first straight link shorter thana second straight link, where the first straight link may be pivotablycoupled to the second straight link. Because the flexible member mayinclude a first straight link shorter than a second straight link, wherethe first straight link may be pivotably coupled to the second straightlink, the flexible member may provide for using a tray in a left sideposition of the chassis or a right side position of the chassis.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a brakingmember. The braking member may include protrusions having offset pointsof contact that provide for contacting a plurality of optical fibersarranged in the protrusions and prevent the plurality of optical fibersfrom being displaced relative to the protrusions. Because the brakingmember prevents the optical fibers from being displaced relative to theprotrusions, the braking member provides for managing the optical fibersby maintaining a desired service loop or slack of the optical fibers andprevents the optical fibers from becoming taut which prevents a trayfrom being slideably displaced and/or prevents damaging the opticalfibers.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a handlecoupled to a first end of a tray or a second end of a tray to which aflexible member is coupled. The flexible member and the handle may belockingly engageable to (1) lock the tray in the stowed position when aforce is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to the first use position, and (2) unlock the tray from thestowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displace the trayfrom the stowed position to the second use position.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a firstanti-jamming feature arranged in a first straight link, a secondanti-jamming feature arranged in a second straight link, and a thirdanti-jamming feature arranged in a third straight link. The firstanti-jamming feature and the second anti-jamming feature cooperate toremoveably fit together such that a first longitudinal axis of the firststraight link is arranged linearly with a second longitudinal axis ofthe second straight link to prevent the first straight link from beingjammed together with the second straight link. The second anti-jammingfeature and the third anti-jamming feature cooperate to removeably fittogether such that a second longitudinal axis of the second straightlink is arranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of the thirdstraight link to prevent the second straight link and the third straightlink from being jammed together.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a trayhaving mounting members arranged in ends of the tray, such that themounting members may be configured to mount any one of a plurality offaceplates that provide a respective cable management capability for aplurality of fibers received by the tray.

Illustrative Data Communication Apparatuses

FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an example data communicationapparatus 100 having trays arranged in a chassis 102. The chassis 102may be a 19 inch chassis and provide for patching optical fibers. Apatch may be separate fibers (e.g., separate cables) terminated in aconnector (e.g., Lucent Connectors (LCs), subscriber connectors (SC),etc.)) having an end condition (e.g., an angle-polished connector (APC)end condition or an ultra-polished connector (UPC) end condition). Inthe patch, the separate fibers terminated in the connector may then beinserted into an adapter (e.g., a coupler), where the adapter mayprovide for an additional cable to be inserted into the opposite endproviding a continuous path for light to pass through. While FIG. 1illustrates a chassis 102 that provides for patching optical fibers, thechassis could provide for other termination connections. For example,the chassis could provide for splicing optical fibers. FIG. 1illustrates a tray 104 in a first use position 106 where a first end ofthe tray is disposed a distance 108 external from a first access side110(1) of the chassis. For example, the chassis 102 may having a firstaccess side 110(1) opposite a second access side 110(2), and the tray104 may be slideably displaceable from a stowed position, where thefirst and second ends of the tray are located in the chassis, to thefirst use position 106. In one example, the distance 108 may be at leastabout 1 inch to at most about 6 inches. In another example, the distance108 may be about 3 inches.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cassette 112 arranged in the tray 104. The cassette112 may include a shuttle member 114 arranged in a first end of thecassette. When the tray 104 is in the first use position 106, at least aportion of the shuttle member 114 may be disposed a distance 116external from the first access side 110(1) of the chassis 102.

FIG. 1 illustrates a flexible member 118 having an end coupleable to thefirst end of the tray 104, the flexible member for maintaining a bendradius of optical fibers received by the flexible member.

FIG. 2 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, with the tray 104 in a second useposition 202 where a second end of the tray is disposed a distance 204external from the second access side 110(2) of the chassis 102. Forexample, the tray 104 may be slideably displaceable from a stowedposition, where the first and second ends of the tray are located in thechassis, to the second use position 202. In one example, the distance204 may be at least about 1 inch to at most about 6 inches. In anotherexample, the distance 204 may be about 3 inches.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cassette 112 arranged in the tray 104 may includea connector fastening station 206 arranged in the second end of thecassette. When the tray 104 is in the second use position 202, at leasta portion of the connector fastening station 206 may be disposed adistance 208 external from the second access side 110(2) of the chassis102.

FIG. 2 illustrates another flexible member 118 having an end coupleableto the second end of the tray 104, the flexible member for maintaining abend radius of optical fibers received by the flexible member.

FIG. 3 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, with a top of the chassis removed (thetop of the chassis not shown), and the tray 104 in the first useposition 106 where a portion of the shuttle member 114 is disposed thedistance 116 external from the first access side 110(1) of the chassis102. In this example, where the shuttle member 114 is disposed thedistance 116 from the first access side 110(1) of the chassis 102, theshuttle member 114 may be in a first position where the shuttle member114 is disposed a distance from the connector fastening station 206.

FIG. 3 illustrates the chassis 102 may be a 19 inch chassis having aleft side 302 and a right side 304, and the tray 104 may be a standardtray arrangeable in both the left side 302 or the right side 304. Forexample, the tray 104 may be able to be received in the left side 302 ofthe chassis or the tray 104 may be able to be received in the right side304 of the chassis. FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of trays arranged ineach of the left side 302 and the right side 304. Further, FIG. 3illustrates a plurality of the flexible members may be coupled to thefirst and second ends of each of the respective trays. Because the traysmay be arranged in either the left side or the right side of thechassis, a user may quickly and easily configure the data communicationapparatus 100. Further, the flexible members may provide for arrangingthe trays in either the left side or the right side of the chassis.

FIG. 4 illustrates the tray 104 in the first use position 106 shown inFIG. 3, and the shuttle member 114 in a second position disposed adistance 402 external from the first access side of the chassis 102greater than the distance 116 when the shuttle member 114 was in a firstposition. For example, the shuttle member 114 arranged in the first endof the cassette 112, opposite the connector fastening station 206arranged in the second end of the cassette 112, may be slideablydisplaceable from a first position to a second position. When theshuttle member 114 is in the first position the shuttle member 114 maybe disposed the distance 116 from the first access side of the chassis102 and when the shuttle member 114 is in the second position theshuttle member may be disposed the distance 402, greater than thedistance 116, from the first access side of the chassis 102.

A user (e.g., technician) may slideably displace the tray 104 out fromthe stowed position to the first use position 106 and subsequentlyslideably displace the shuttle member 114 from the first position to thesecond position to route optical fiber through the tray 104. Forexample, a user may open the tray and subsequently displace the shuttlemember 114 to the second position to route optical fibers through theshuttle member 114 to be arranged proximate to the connector fasteningstation 206. Subsequent to routing the optical fibers through theshuttle member 114 proximate the connector fastening station 206, theuser may displace the shuttle member 114 back to the first position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the isometric view of the example data communicationapparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, with the top of the chassis removed (topof chassis not shown), and the tray 104 in the second use position 202where the portion of the connector fastening station 206 is disposed thedistance 208 external from the second access side 110(2) of the chassis102. Subsequent to the user routing the optical fibers through theshuttle member 114 towards the connector fastening station 206, the usermay slideably displace the tray 104 to the second use position 202 wherethe portion of the connector fastening station 206 is disposed thedistance 208 external from the second access side 110(2) of the chassis102 to gain access to the optical fibers disposed proximate to theconnector fastening station 206. The plurality of optical fibers mayeach have a termination, and a user may removeably connect (e.g.,couple, connect, join, plug, etc.) a respective termination to arespective connector 502 fastened to the connector fastening station 206when the tray 104 is in the second use position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the example tray 104 shown inFIGS. 1-5 with the cassette 112 (e.g., first cassette) arranged in afirst portion 602 of the tray 104, and a second cassette 604 arranged ina second portion 606, adjacent to the first portion 602, of the tray104. While FIG. 6 illustrates the first cassette 112 arranged in thefirst portion 602 and the second cassette 604 arranged in the secondportion 606, the first cassette 112 may be arranged in the secondportion 606, and the second cassette 604 may be arranged in the firstportion 602. The second cassette 604 may include a first connectorfastening station 608(1) arranged in a first end of the second cassette604 and a second connector fastening station 608(2) arranged in a secondend, opposite the first end, of the second cassette 604. The firstconnector fastening station 608(1) may fasten respective connectors to aportion of the first end of the second cassette in a staggered patternor the second connector fastening station 608(2) may fasten respectiveconnectors to a portion of the second end of the second cassette in thestaggered pattern.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first position 610 of the shuttle member 114 wherethe shuttle member 114 is disposed a distance 612 from the connectorfastening station 206.

FIG. 7 illustrates the perspective view of the example tray 104 shown inFIG. 6, with the shuttle member 114 in a second position 702 where theshuttle member 114 may be disposed a distance 704 from the connectorfastening station 206 greater than the distance 612 when the shuttlemember 114 is in the first position 610. The second position 702 mayprovide more space for a user to route optical fiber through the shuttlemember 114.

In one example, the tray 104 may have a height of at least about 0.5rack units (RUs) to at most about 5 RUs. In another example, the tray104 may have a height of at least about 1 RU. In one example, opticalfiber arranged in the shuttle member 114 may be contained by opticalfiber management members (e.g., posts, ramps, gates, troughs, apertures,etc.) arranged in the shuttle member 114 that provide for routing and/orcontaining the optical fiber with a minimum bend radius. Further, theoptical fiber management members may provide for positioning theplurality of optical fibers received by the shuttle member adjacent tothe connector fastening station. For example, a user may route theplurality of optical fibers through optical fiber management membersarranged in the shuttle member when the tray is in the first useposition and the shuttle member is in the first position or the secondposition.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the tray 104 shown in FIGS. 1-7void of the first cassette 112 and the second cassette 604. FIG. 8illustrates the tray 104 may include one or more apertures 802 arrangedin a portion (e.g., a surface, a bottom surface, a floor, etc.) of thetray 104. For example, the one or more apertures 802 may be arranged ina portion (e.g., a surface, a bottom surface, a floor, etc.) of the tray104 proximate to the connector fastening station. The one or moreapertures 802 may provide access to a connector fastened to theconnector fastening station. For example, the one or more apertures 802may provide access to a bottom portion of a connector fastened to theconnector fastening station and/or an optical fiber terminationconnected to the connector.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the example first cassette 112shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 9 illustrates the shuttle member 114 arrangedin the first end of the cassette 112 opposite the connector fasteningstation 206 arranged in the second end of the cassette 112. FIG. 9illustrates the connector fastening station 206 fastens respectiveconnectors 902(1), 902(2), 902(3), 902(4), 902(5), and 902(n) to aportion of the second end of the cassette in a staggered pattern. Thestaggered pattern of the respective connectors 902(1) through 902(n) mayinclude a first connector (e.g., connector 902(1)) and a secondconnector (e.g., connector 902(3)) disposed in a first plane, and athird connector (e.g., connector 902(2)) and a fourth connector (e.g.,connector 902(4)) disposed in a second plane, where the first plane isspaced a distance from the second plane. Each connector may be acommercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connector and the connector fasteningstation may provide for connecting each COTS connector to a portion ofthe second end of the cassette in the staggered pattern.

FIG. 10 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassette112 shown in FIG. 9, void of the connectors 902(1) through 902(n) (notshown) fastened to the connector fastening station 206. FIG. 10illustrates the connector fastening station 206 may include a connectorcover 1000 that fastens (e.g., snap-fits, press-fits, interference fits,etc.) with one or more fastening members 1002.

FIG. 11 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassette112 shown in FIG. 10, void of the connector cover 1000 (not shown). FIG.11 illustrates apertures 1100 arranged in the portion (e.g., surface,bottom surface, floor, etc.) of the cassette 112. The apertures 1100 toreceive a portion of each of the COTS connectors and connect each COTSconnector to the portion of the second end of the cassette in thestaggered pattern.

FIG. 12 illustrates the perspective view of the example first cassette112 shown in FIG. 10, void of the shuttle member 114 (not shown). FIG.12 illustrates the cassette 112 may include one or more apertures 1200arranged in a portion (e.g., a surface, a bottom surface, a floor, etc.)of the cassette 112. For example, the one or more apertures 1200 may bearranged in a portion (e.g., a surface, a bottom surface, a floor, etc.)of the cassette 112 proximate to the connector fastening station. Theone or more apertures 1200 may provide access to a connector fastened tothe connector fastening station. For example, the one or more apertures1200 may provide access to a bottom portion of a connector fastened tothe connector fastening station and/or an optical fiber terminationconnected to the connector.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the example second cassette606 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 13 illustrates a first connectorfastening station 1300(1) arranged in a first end of the second cassette606 and a second connector fastening station 1300(2) arranged in asecond end, opposite the first end, of the second cassette 606.

FIG. 13 illustrates the connector fastening stations 1300(1) and 1300(2)fastens respective connectors 1302(1), 1302(2), 1302(3), 1302(4),1302(5), and 1302(n) to a portion of the first and second ends of thesecond cassette in a staggered pattern. The staggered pattern of therespective connectors 1302(1) through 1302(n) may include a firstconnector (e.g., connector 1302(1)) and a second connector (e.g.,connector 1302(3)) disposed in a first plane, and a third connector(e.g., connector 1302(2)) and a fourth connector (e.g., connector1302(4)) disposed in a second plane, where the first plane is spaced adistance from the second plane. Each connector may be a commercialoff-the-shelf (COTS) connector and the connector fastening station mayprovide for connecting each COTS connector to a portion of the first andsecond ends of the second cassette in a staggered pattern.

FIG. 14 illustrates the perspective view of the example second cassette606 shown in FIG. 13, void of connectors 1302(1) through 1302(n) (notshown) fastened to the first and second connector fastening stations1300(1) and 1300(2), and void of a cover (not shown) of the secondcassette 606. Similar to the connector fastening station 206 of thefirst cassette 112, each of the connector fastening stations 1300(1) and1300(2) may include a connector cover 1000 that fastens (e.g.,snap-fits, press-fits, interference fits, etc.) with one or morefastening members 1002.

FIG. 15 illustrates the perspective view of the example second cassette606 shown in FIG. 14, void of the connector covers 1000 (not shown) ofthe first and second connector fastening stations 1300(1) and 1300(2).Similar to the connector fastening station 206 of the first cassette112, each of the connector fastening stations 1300(1) and 1300(2) mayinclude apertures 1100 arranged in the portion (e.g., surface, bottomsurface, floor, etc.) of the second cassette 606. The apertures 1100 toreceive a portion of each of the COTS connectors and connect each COTSconnector to the portion of the second end of the cassette in thestaggered pattern.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an example third cassette1600. FIG. 16 illustrates connector modules 1602(1) and 1602(2)removeably received by first and second portions 1604(1) and 1604(2) ofthe third cassette 1600. While FIG. 16 illustrates connector module1602(1) removeably received by first portion 1604(1) and connectormodule 1602(2) removeably received by second portion 1604(2), connectormodule 1602(1) may be removeably received by second portion 1604(2) andconnector module 1602(2) may be removeably received by first portion1604(1). The connector modules 1602(1) and 1602(2) may include monitorconnectors arranged in a first end of the connector modules 1602(1) and1602(2) and transmitter connectors arranged in second end of theconnector modules 1602(1) and 1602(2). The connector modules 1602(1) and1602(2) may provide for installing or removing fewer optical fibers thana number of optical fibers associated with an entire cassette. Forexample, the connector modules 1602(1) and 1602(2) may provide forinstalling or removing fewer optical fibers than 12 optical fibersassociated with cassette 606. For example, each of the connector modulesmay provide for installing or removing at least about 1 optical fiber toat most about 6 optical fibers.

FIG. 17 illustrates an isometric view of another example datacommunication apparatus 1700. FIG. 17 illustrates braking members 1702arrangeable adjacent to a first side or a second side of a chassis 1704.FIG. 17 illustrates the chassis 1704 may be the same as chassis 102illustrated in FIGS. 1-5. While FIG. 17 illustrates the braking members1702 arrangeable adjacent to a first side or a second side of thechassis 1704, the braking members 1702 may be arrangeable adjacent to aportion of a frame, a chassis, a cable manager, a rack, a wall, etc.

When routing or lacing optical fiber in a tray or a chassis a serviceloop or slack in the optical fiber may be required to maintain goodfiber management and fiber bend minimums. With the high density ofoptical fibers, the optical fibers are moved to a fiber cable managerwhere the collected optical fibers weigh more than a weight of theoptical fibers associated with the tray or the service loop. The weightof the collected optical fibers may displace the optical fibers andreduce or eliminate the service loop or slack in the optical fibers,thus tightening the optical fibers associated with the tray or serviceloop, and preventing the tray from being displaced or damaging theoptical fibers.

The braking member 1702 may include protrusions having offset points ofcontact. The offset points of contact of the protrusions forming acurvilinear route for the optical fibers. The protrusions for contactinga plurality of optical fibers arranged in the protrusions and preventingthe plurality of optical fibers from being displaced, relative to theprotrusions, up to a threshold amount of force applied to the opticalfibers.

The braking member 1702 may be used in telecommunication systems tomaintain the optical fiber bend radii while limiting the displacement ofthe optical fibers. The optical fibers may be routed or laced throughthe braking member 1702 touching at least about three offset points ofcontact that maintain the minimum bend radii. These three offset pointsof contact are offset a distance to cause drag as the optical fibers arepulled by the weight of the optical fibers. The drag prevents theservice loop or slack of the optical fibers from being displaced tomaintain the service loop or slack of the optical fibers. Further, if aforce greater than a threshold amount of force is applied to the opticalfibers, the optical fibers may be displaced through the braking member1702 without damaging the optical fibers. The resistance or dragprovided by the braking member 1702 may be adjusted by adjusting aninterference caused by the three offset points of contact. For example,the protrusions of the braking member 1702 may be separated by adistance that provides for an interference fit of the optical fibersrouted in contact with the three offset points of contact of at leastabout a diameter of one optical fiber. The interference may be adjustedbased on a quantity of optical fibers received by the braking member1702. Further, the resistance or drag provided by the braking member1702 may be adjusted by adjusting a surface finish of the protrusions ofthe braking member 1702. For example, the resistance or drag may beadjusted by adjusting a coefficient of friction between the opticalfibers and the protrusions of the braking member 1702.

The braking member 1702 may be used to manage optical fiber entering orexiting a tray (e.g., tray 104) instead of a flexible member (e.g.,flexible member 118). Further, the braking member 1702 may be used tomanage optical fiber entering or exiting a frame, a chassis, a cablemanager, a rack, a wall, etc. In one example, the braking member 1702may be configured to receive up to about 12 optical fibers. In anotherexample, the braking member 1702 may be configured to receive up toabout 24 optical fibers. In another example, the braking member 1702 maybe configured to receive up to about 75 optical fibers. The brakingmember 1702 may be mounted to a side of a chassis at a location wherethe optical fiber enters the braking member 1702 at an upward angle andthen exit the braking member 1702 at a downward angle. When a force isapplied to the optical fibers at the downward angle, the force requiredto displace the optical fiber through the braking member 1702 may bemore than a force that is applied to optical fibers exiting the brakingmember 1702 at a horizontal angle. The braking member 1702 may includeone or more optical fiber management members (e.g., posts, ramps, gates,troughs, apertures, etc.) arranged with the protrusions, or othersurfaces of the brake member, that provide for routing and/or containingthe optical fiber with a minimum bend radius.

FIG. 18 illustrates a top view 1800, a bottom view 1802, a front view1804, a side view 1806, and a perspective view 1808 of an examplebraking member 1810. Braking member 1810 may be the same as brakingmember 1702. FIG. 18 illustrates the braking member 1810 may includeprotrusions 1812. The protrusions 1812 may have a substantiallycurvilinear cross-sectional profile. The protrusions 1812 may provide atleast about three offset points of contact 1814 that maintain theminimum bend radii and cause drag as the optical fibers are pulled bythe weight of the optical fibers. FIG. 18 illustrates the braking member1810 may include one or more optical fiber management members 1816arranged with the protrusions 1812 of the braking member 1810 thatprovide for routing and/or containing the optical fiber with a minimumbend radius. For example, optical fiber management members 1816 may bearranged on an end surface of each of the protrusions 1812 to providefor routing the optical fiber in and/or out of the protrusions 1812 witha minimum bend radius.

While FIG. 18 illustrates dimensions of the braking member 1810, thesedimensions are example dimensions and different dimensions arecontemplated. For example, the braking member 1810 may be a differentsize based on a quantity of optical fibers the braking member 1810 is toreceive.

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view 1900, side view 1902 and perspective view1904 of an example flexible member 1906, and top views 1908 and 1910 andside views 1912 and 1914 of respective example links 1916 and 1918 ofthe example flexible member 1906. The flexible member 1906 may be thesame as the flexible member 118 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 19 illustrates the link 1916 may have a longer length than a lengthof the link 1918. Further, the links 1916 and 1918 may be substantiallyrectilinear. Because the links 1916 and 1918 may be rectilinear, theflexible member 1906 may be coupled to a first end of a tray (e.g., tray104) or a second end of the tray. Moreover, because the links 1916 and1918 may be rectilinear, the flexible member 1906 may be coupled to aleft side or a right side of the first end of the tray or a left side ora right side of the second end of the tray. Because the flexible member1906 may be coupled to a left side or a right side of a first end of atray or a left side or a right side of a second end of a tray, a usermay quickly and easily arrange trays in either a left side or the rightside of a chassis (e.g., chassis 102. Because a user may quickly andeasily arrange trays in a chassis, a user may quickly and easilyconfigure a data communication apparatus (e.g., data communicationapparatus 100).

FIG. 19 illustrates the link 1916 may pivotably couple with the link1918. For example, the link 1916 may pivotably couple with the link 1918via a snap-fit, press-fit, interference fit. For example, the link 1916may include a snap-fit member, press-fit member, interference fit memberarranged on opposite ends of the link 1916, and the link 1918 mayinclude a cooperating snap-fit member, press-fit member, interferencefit member arranged on opposite ends of the link 1918 that pivotablycouple with the snap-fit member, press-fit member, interference fitmember arranged on opposite ends of the link 1916. The snap-fit,press-fit, interference fit members and the cooperating snap-fit,press-fit, interference fit members may include guides, grooves, rails,channels, etc. arranged in a surface of the members to provide forrotatably guiding the links 1916 and 1918 when the links 1916 and 1918are pivotably rotated relative to each other. The links 1916 and 1918may include one or more optical fiber management members that providefor routing and/or containing the optical fiber with a minimum bendradius. For example, optical fiber management members may be arranged onsurfaces of each of the links 1916 and 1918 to provide for containingthe optical fiber in flexible member 1906 with a minimum bend radiuswhen a tray (e.g., tray 104) is slideably displaced.

While FIG. 19 illustrates dimensions of the links 1916 and 1918, thesedimensions are example dimensions and different dimensions arecontemplated. For example, the links 1916 and 1918 may have differentsizes based on a quantity of optical fibers the flexible member 1906 isto receive.

FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 illustrate a perspective view 2000 of anotherembodiment of a cassette 2002. FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 illustrate thecassette 2002 may have a first connector fastening station 2004(1)arranged in a first end 2006(1) of the cassette 2002 and a secondconnector fastening station 2004(2) arranged in a second end 2006(2),opposite the first end 2006(1), of the cassette 2002. Inasmuch as FIGS.20, 21, and 22 depict different connector fastening stations, whilereferring to the same elements and features of the cassette 2002, thefollowing discussion of specific features may refer interchangeably toany of FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 except where explicitly indicated. Inparticular, FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 illustrate an embodiment of thecassette 2002, including connector covers 1000. In one example, thecassette 2002 may have a length of about 7 inches, a width of about 3.7inches, and a height of about 0.47 inches. The cassette 2002 may includefastening members that fasten (e.g., snap-fits, press-fits, interferencefits, etc.) with the connector covers 1000, connectors, adapters, plugs,or strain relief units. The fastening members may be the same as the oneor more fastening members 1002.

FIG. 21 illustrates the perspective view 2100 of the cassette 2002 shownin FIG. 20, void of connectors (not shown) fastened to the first andsecond connector fastening stations 2004(1) and 2004(2), and void of thecover (not shown) of the cassette 2002. As depicted in FIG. 21, and insome instances, the first end 2006(1) may have a first geometry 2102(1)symmetrical, about at least one axis 2104, to a second geometry 2102(2)of the second end 2006(2). For example, the first geometry 2102(1) mayhave a shape and relative arrangement of fastening features, structures,members, receptacles, etc. that are substantially the same as a shapeand relative arrangement of fastening features, structures, members,receptacles, etc. of the second geometry 2102(2). Further, the shapesand relative arrangements of fastening features, structures, members,receptacles, etc. of both of the first geometry 2102(1) and the secondgeometry 2102(2) may be symmetrically arranged, about an X-axis, aY-axis, and/or a Z-axis of the cassette 2002. For example, the firstgeometry 2102(1) may have a length, a width, a height, and a pluralityof receptacles that are substantially the same as a length, a width, aheight and a plurality of receptacles of the second geometry 2102(2)that may be symmetrically arranged about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and/or aZ-axis of the cassette 2002.

FIG. 22 illustrates the perspective view 2200 of the cassette 2002 shownin FIG. 20, void of the connector covers (not shown) of the first andsecond connector fastening stations 2004(1) and 2004(2). FIG. 22 depictsthe first connector fastening station 2004(1) arranged in the first end2006(1) of the cassette 2002 may include a first plurality ofreceptacles 2202(1). Each of the receptacles 2202(1) may be a respectivecassette end interface position. For example, the cassette 2002 may haveabout six (or more or less) interface positions and each receptacle ofthe receptacles 2202(1) may be a respective one of the six interfacepositions.

Each of the receptacles 2202(1) may be designed to hold any one of aplurality of types of components that may provide for changing afunctionality of the cassette 2002. For example, one or more of thefirst plurality of receptacles 2202(1) may be configured to fasten atleast one of a first connector, a first adapter, a first plug, or afirst strain relief unit. For example, one or more of the firstplurality of receptacles 2202(1) may be configured to fasten, contain,hold, fix, etc. a connector, an adapter, a plug, or a strain relief unitto a portion of the first end 2006(1) of the cassette 2002. Theconnector may be an optical fiber connector used to join optical fiberswhere a connect/disconnect capability may be needed. The optical fiberconnector may be a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) connector (e.g.,connector 502, connectors 902(1)-902(n), or connectors 1302(1)-1302(n)).For example, the optical fiber connector may be an LC connector (e.g., aLucent Connector), or an SC connector (e.g., a Standard Connector or aSubscriber Connector). The connector may be inserted in any one of thereceptacles 2202(1). The adapter may be an MPO adapter (e.g., aMulti-fiber Push On adapter). The adapter may be inserted in any one ofthe receptacles 2202(1). The plug may be a hole plug that may beinserted in any one of the receptacles 2202(1) when the receptacles2202(1) are not utilized. For example, the plug may be a hole plug thatmay be inserted in any cassette end interface position when the cassetteend interface positions are not being utilized. The strain relief unitmay provide for managing fiber exiting or entering the cassette 2002.For example, the strain relief unit may provide for managing amulti-fiber cable exiting or entering the cassette 2002. The strainrelief unit may be inserted in any two of the receptacles 2202(1).Because each of the receptacles 2202(1) may have the capability to holdany one of a plurality of types of components, this may provide aflexibility to configure the same cassette for multiple applications(e.g., combinable patch and/or splice cassette, MPO to LC Breakoutcassette, Pre-terminated LC or SC cassette, configurable splittercassette, etc.).

FIG. 22 depicts the second connector fastening station 2004(2) arrangedin the second end 2006(2) of the cassette 2002 may include a secondplurality of receptacles 2202(2). Similar to the receptacles 2202(1),each of the receptacles 2202(2) may be a respective cassette endinterface position. For example, the cassette 2002 may have about sixinterface positions and each receptacle of the receptacles 2202(2) maybe a respective one of the six interface positions.

Similar to the receptacles 2202(1), each of the receptacles 2202(2) maybe designed to hold any one of a plurality of types of components thatmay provide for changing a functionality of the cassette 2002. Forexample, one or more of the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) maybe configured to fasten at least one of a second connector, a secondadapter, a second plug, or a second strain relief unit. For example, oneor more of the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) may be configuredto fasten, contain, hold, fix, etc. a connector, an adapter, a plug, ora strain relief unit to a portion of the second end 2006(2) of thecassette 2002.

As discussed above, the connector may be an optical fiber connector usedto join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability may beneeded. The optical fiber connector may be a commercial off-the-shelf(COTS) connector (e.g., connector 502, connectors 902(1)-902(n), orconnectors 1302(1)-1302(n)). For example, the optical fiber connectormay be an LC connector (e.g., a Lucent Connector), or an SC connector(e.g., a Standard Connector or a Subscriber Connector). The connectormay be inserted in any one of the receptacles 2202(1). The adapter maybe an MPO adapter (e.g., a Multi-fiber Push On adapter). The adapter maybe inserted in any one of the receptacles 2202(1). The plug may be ahole plug that may be inserted in any one of the receptacles 2202(1)when the receptacles 2202(1) are not utilized. For example, the plug maybe a hole plug that may be inserted in any cassette end interfaceposition when the cassette end interface positions are not beingutilized. The strain relief unit may provide for managing fiber exitingor entering the cassette 2002. For example, the strain relief unit mayprovide for managing a multi-fiber cable exiting or entering thecassette 2002. The strain relief unit may be inserted in any two of thereceptacles 2202(2). Because each of the receptacles 2202(2) may havethe capability to hold any one of a plurality of types of components,this may provide a flexibility to configure the same cassette formultiple applications (e.g., combined patch and splice cassette, MPO toLC Breakout cassette, Pre-terminated LC or SC cassette, configurablesplitter cassette, etc.).

Further, the first plurality of receptacles 2202(1) of the firstconnector fastening station 2004(1) may be symmetrical, about the atleast one axis 2104, to the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) ofthe second connector fastening station 2004(2). For example, the firstplurality of receptacles 2202(1) may have a shape and relativearrangement that are substantially the same as a shape and relativearrangement of the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2), and theshapes and relative arrangements of both of the first plurality ofreceptacles 2202(1) and the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) maybe symmetrically arranged, about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and/or a Z-axis ofthe cassette 2002. For example, each of the first plurality ofreceptacles 2202(1) may have a length, a width, and/or a height that maybe substantially the same as a length, a width, and/or a height of thesecond plurality of receptacles 2202(2) that may be symmetricallyarranged, about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and/or a Z-axis of the cassette2002. For example, detail view 2204 illustrates the first plurality ofreceptacles 2202(1) may have a length 2206, a width 2208, and a height2210 that may be substantially the same as a length, a width, and/or aheight of the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2). In this example,the length 2206 of the first plurality of receptacles 2202(1) may besymmetrical, about the Z-axis of the cassette 2002, to the length of thesecond plurality of receptacles 2202(2). The width 2208 of the firstplurality of receptacles 2202(1) may be symmetrical, about the X-axis ofthe cassette 2002, to the width of the second plurality of receptacles2202(2). And, the height 2210 of the first plurality of receptacles2202(1) may be symmetrical, about the Y-axis of the cassette 2002, tothe height of the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2).

FIG. 22 depicts the cassette 2002 may include a fiber service loop bay2212 for managing a plurality of fibers (not shown) received by thecassette 2002. The fiber service loop bay 2212 may be arranged betweenthe first connector fastening station 2004(1) and the second connectorfastening station 2004(2). FIG. 22 illustrates the fiber service loopbay 2212 may include a plurality of projections 2214(1), 2214(2),2214(3), 2214(4), 2214(5), 2214(6), 2214(7), and 2214(n) arranged abovea bottom surface 2216 of the cassette 2002 for storing and protectingthe plurality of fibers. For example, the plurality of projections2214(1)-2214(n) may store and protect the plurality of fibers betweenthe plurality of projections 2214(1)-2214(n) and the bottom surface 2216when the fibers are coiled in loops in the fiber service loop bay 2212.Further, the plurality of projections 2214(1)-2214(n) may be arranged inthe fiber service loop bay 2212 to provide for maintaining a bend radiusof the plurality of fibers received by the plurality of projections2214(1)-2214(n).

FIG. 22 illustrates the cassette 2002 may also include fasteningmechanisms 2218(1), 2218(2) and 2218(n) for securing at least a portionof the plurality of fibers received by the cassette 2002 that includes afeature for separating the incoming cable from the service loop. In oneexample, at least one of the fastening mechanisms 2218(1), 2218(2), or2218(n) may be a tie down, and the portion of the plurality of fibersmay be a jacket of the plurality of fibers received by the cassette2002. For example, fastening mechanisms 2218(2) and 2218(n) may be aprotrusion, a knob, a boss, etc. arranged with projections 2214(5) and2214(7), respectively, that may provide for a fastener (e.g., a cabletie, a band, a rubber band, a bungie, a clip, etc.) to tie, anchor, fix,etc. a jacket of the plurality of fibers to the protrusion, the knob,the boss, etc.

In another example, at least one of the fastening mechanisms 2218(1),2218(2), or 2218(n) may be a tie down, and the portion of the pluralityof fibers may be an aramid yarn acting as a strength member for theplurality of fibers received by the cassette 2002. For example,fastening mechanism 2218(1) may be a threaded fastener, a snap-fitfastener, a press-fit fastener, etc., arranged in the fiber service loopbay 2212, that may provide for a cooperating threaded fastener,cooperating snap-fit fastener, cooperating press-fit fastener, etc. totie, anchor, fix, etc. the aramid yarn, acting as the strength memberfor the plurality of fibers, to the threaded fastener, the snap-fitfastener, the press fit-fastener, etc., arranged in the fiber serviceloop bay 2212.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view 2300 of the cassette 2002 shownin FIG. 20, configured with a strain relief unit 2302, a plurality ofhole plugs 2304(1), 2304(2), 2304(3), and 2304(n), and a plurality ofconnectors 2306(1), 2306(2), 2306(3), 2306(4), 2306(5), and 2306(n). Forexample, the cassette 2002 may be configured as a splice cassette thatincludes the strain relief unit 2302, the plurality of hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and a plurality of duplex LC connectors and/or aplurality of SC connectors. In another example, the cassette 2002 may beconfigured as a pre-terminated cassette that includes the strain reliefunit 2302, the plurality of hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), and theplurality of duplex LC connectors and/or plurality of SC connectors.

FIG. 24 illustrates an exploded view 2400 of the cassette 2002configured with the strain relief unit 2302, the plurality of hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and the plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n) shownin FIG. 23. FIG. 24 illustrates the first plurality of receptacles2202(1) may fasten the plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n) in thecassette 2002 and the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) may fastenthe strain relief unit 2302 and the plurality of hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n) in the cassette 2002.

FIG. 24 illustrates the fiber service loop bay 2212 may further includeat least one retaining mechanism 2402 for holding a splice of at leastone fiber of the plurality of fibers. For example, when the cassette2002 is configured as a splice cassette that includes the strain reliefunit 2302, the plurality of hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), and a pluralityof LC connectors and/or a plurality of SC connectors, the retainingmechanism 2402 may be fixed to the bottom surface of the cassette 2002and in the fiber service loop bay 2212 to hold a splice of at least onefiber of the plurality of fibers. When the cassette 2002 is configuredas a pre-terminated cassette that includes the strain relief unit 2302,the plurality of hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), and a plurality of LCconnectors and/or a plurality of SC connectors, the fiber service loopbay 2212 may not include the retaining mechanism 2402 and may be void ofthe retaining mechanism 2402 for holding a splice of at least one fiberof the plurality of fibers because the pre-terminated configuration maybe void of a splice.

FIG. 24 illustrates the fastening mechanism 2218(1) may provide forfastening an aramid yarn acting as a strength member for the pluralityof fibers received by the strain relief unit 2302, and fasteningmechanism 2218(2) may provide for fastening a jacket of a plurality offibers received by the strain relief unit 2302.

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view 2500 of the cassette 2002 shownin FIG. 20, configured with an adapter 2502, the one or more hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and the first plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n).For example, the cassette 2002 may be configured as an MPO adapter to LCconnector cassette that includes an MPO adapter, the one or more plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and the first plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n).

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view 2600 of the cassette 2002configured with the adapter 2502, the plurality of hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and the plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n) shownin FIG. 25. FIG. 26 illustrates the first plurality of receptacles2202(1) may fasten the plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n) in thecassette 2002 and the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) may fastenthe adapter 2502 and the plurality of hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n) in thecassette 2002.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view 2700 of cassette 2002 shown inFIG. 20, configured with a first plurality of the connectors2306(1)-2306(n), the one or more hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), and asecond plurality of the connectors 2306(1)-2306(n). For example, thecassette 2002 may be configured as a splitter cassette that includesthree duplex LC connectors or three SC connectors, the plurality of holeplugs 2304(1)-2304(n) fastened in the first plurality of receptacles2202(1) in the cassette 2002, and six duplex LC connectors or six SCconnectors fastened in the second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) inthe cassette 2002.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exploded view 2800 of the cassette 2002configured with the first plurality of the connectors 2306(1)-2306(n),the one or more hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), and a second plurality ofthe connectors 2306(1)-2306(n) shown in FIG. 27. FIG. 28 illustrates thefirst plurality of receptacles 2202(1) may fasten the first plurality ofconnectors 2306(1)-2306(n) and the one or more hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n) in the cassette 2002 and the second plurality ofreceptacles 2202(2) may fasten the second plurality of the connectors2306(1)-2306(n) in the cassette 2002.

FIG. 28 illustrates the fiber service loop bay 2212 may further includeat least one retaining mechanism 2802 for holding a splitter of at leastone fiber of the plurality of fibers. For example, when the cassette2002 is configured as a splitter cassette that includes three duplex LCconnectors or three SC connectors, and six duplex LC connectors or sixSC connectors, the retaining mechanism 2802 may be fixed to the bottomsurface of the cassette 2002 and in the fiber service loop bay 2212 tohold a splitter of at least one fiber of the plurality of fibers.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exploded view 2900 of the cassette 2002 shown inFIG. 20, configured with the adapter 2502, the one or more hole plugs2304(1)-2304(n), and the first plurality of connectors 2306(1)-2306(n).For example, the cassette 2002 may be configured as a splitter cassettethat includes six duplex LC connectors or six SC connectors fastened inthe first plurality of receptacles 2202(1) in the cassette 2002, and anMPO adapter and the one or more hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n) fastened inthe second plurality of receptacles 2202(2) in the cassette 2002.

FIG. 29 illustrates the fiber service loop bay 2212 may further includethe at least one retaining mechanism 2802 for holding a splitter of atleast one fiber of the plurality of fibers. For example, when thecassette 2002 is configured as a splitter cassette that includes sixduplex LC connectors or six SC connectors, and the adapter 2502 and theplurality of hole plugs 2304(1)-2304(n), the retaining mechanism 2802may be fixed to the bottom surface of the cassette 2002 and in the fiberservice loop bay 2212 to hold a splitter of at least one fiber of theplurality of fibers.

FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate a perspective view 3000 of another embodimentof a data communication apparatus 3002, with a top of the chassisremoved (the top of the chassis not shown), and another embodiment of atray 3004. FIG. 30 illustrates the tray 3004 in the first use position106, and FIG. 31 illustrates the tray 3004 in the second use position202. FIG. 30 illustrates the tray 3004 may have a flexible member3006(1) couplable to a first end of the tray 3004, and FIG. 31illustrates the tray 3004 may have another flexible member 3006(n)couplable to a second end of the tray 3004. Inasmuch as FIGS. 30 and 31depict different flexible members, while referring to the same elementsand features of the tray 3004, the following discussion of specificfeatures may refer interchangeably to any of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8except where explicitly indicated. The data communication apparatus 3002may be the same as the data communication apparatus 100 or 1700. Thetray 3004 may be the same as the tray 104. In one example, the tray 3004may have a length of about 12 inches, a width of about 8 inches, and aheight of about 0.5 inches. The tray 3004 may have first and secondportions (e.g., first and second portions 602 and 606) arranged toreceive a cassette (e.g., cassette 112, 604, 1600, or 2002). In oneexample, each of the first and second portions of the tray 3004 may havea length of about 7 inches, a width of about 3.7 inches, and a height ofabout 0.5 inches. The flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) may be thesame as flexible member 118 or 1906.

The tray 3004 may include a handle 3008(1) couplable to the first end ofthe tray 3004 that the flexible member 3006(1) is coupled thereto and/ormay include another handle 3008(n) couplable to the second end of thetray 3004 to which the other flexible member 3006(n) is coupled. Theflexible member 3006(1) and the handle 3008(1) may be lockinglyengageable to (1) lock the tray 3004 in a stowed position where thefirst and second ends of the tray 3004 are located in the chassis when aforce is applied to the tray 3004 to displace the tray 3004 from thestowed position to the first use position 106, and (2) unlock the tray3004 from the stowed position when a force is applied to the tray 3004to displace the tray 3004 from the stowed position to the second useposition 202. For example, the flexible member 3006(1) and the handle3008(1) may be lockingly engageable to (1) lock the tray 3004 in thestowed position when a user pulls on the first end of the tray 3004 orpushes on the second end of the tray 3004 to displace the tray 3004toward the first access side 110(1) of the chassis, and (2) unlock thetray 3004 from the stowed position when a user pulls on the second endof the tray 3004 or pushes on the first end of the tray 3004 to displacethe tray 3004 from the stowed position toward the second access side110(2) of the chassis.

Similarly, on the second end of the tray 3004 opposite the first end ofthe tray 3004, the other flexible member 3006(n) and the other handle3008(n) may be lockingly engageable to (1) lock the tray 3004 in thestowed position where the first and second ends of the tray 3004 arelocated in the chassis when a force is applied to the tray 3004 todisplace the tray 3004 from the stowed position to the second useposition 202, and (2) unlock the tray 3004 from the stowed position whena force is applied to the tray 3004 to displace the tray 3004 from thestowed position to the first use position 106. For example, the flexiblemember 3006(n) and the handle 3008(n) may be lockingly engageable to (1)lock the tray 3004 in the stowed position when a user pulls on thesecond end of the tray 3004 or pushes on the first end of the tray 3004to displace the tray 3004 toward the second access side 110(2) of thechassis, and (2) unlock the tray 3004 from the stowed position when auser pulls on the first end of the tray 3004 or pushes on the second endof the tray 3004 to displace the tray 3004 from the stowed positiontoward the first access side 110(1) of the chassis.

FIG. 32 illustrates a perspective view 3200 of the example tray 3004 inthe first use position 106 shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 32 illustrates theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) and the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n)in unlocked positions, where the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n) aredisengaged from the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) and theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) are extended to provide forpositioning the tray 3004 in the first use position 106. The flexiblemembers 3006(1) and 3006(n) to maintain a bend radius of optical fibersreceived by the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) when the tray 3004is slideably displaced from the stowed position to the first useposition 106.

FIG. 33 illustrates a perspective view 3300 of the example tray 3004 inthe second use position 202 shown in FIG. 31. FIG. 33 illustrates theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) and the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n)in the unlocked positions, where the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n) aredisengaged from the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) and theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) are extended to provide forpositioning the tray 3004 in the second use position 202. The flexiblemembers 3006(1) and 3006(n) to maintain a bend radius of optical fibersreceived by the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) when the tray 3004is slideably displaced from the stowed position to the second useposition 202. Moreover, the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) tomaintain a bend radius of optical fibers received by the flexiblemembers 3006(1) and 3006(n) when the tray 3004 is slideably displacedfrom first use position 106 all the way to the second use position 202,or vice versa.

FIG. 34 illustrates a perspective view 3400 of the example tray 3004 ina stowed position 3402 where the first and second ends of the tray 3004are located in the chassis. FIG. 34 illustrates the flexible members3006(1) and 3006(n) and the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n) in the lockedpositions, where the handles 3008(1) and 3008(n) are engaged with theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) and the flexible members 3006(1)and 3006(n) are unextended or not stretched out to provide forpositioning the tray 3004 in the stowed position 3402 where the firstand second ends of the tray 3004 are located in the chassis. Theflexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) to maintain a bend radius ofoptical fibers received by the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) whenthe tray 3004 is in the stowed position. Because the flexible member3006(1) and the handle 3008(1) coupled to the first end of the tray andthe flexible member 3006(n) and the handle 3008(n) coupled to the secondend of the tray 3004 are in the locked positions, where the handles3008(1) and 3008(n) are engaged with the flexible members 3006(1) and3006(n), the tray 3004 may not be slideably displaced from the stowedposition 3402 to the first use position 106 or the second use position202 without unlocking or disengaging the handle 3008(1) from theflexible member 3006(1) on the first end of the tray 3004 and/orunlocking or disengaging the handle 3008(n) from the flexible member3006(n).

Notably, FIGS. 30-34 illustrate the tray 3004 including both theflexible member 3006(1) and the handle 3008(1) coupled to the first endof the tray 3004 and the flexible member 3006(n) and the handle 3008(n)coupled to the second end of the tray 3004. However, in an alternativeembodiment, the tray 3004 may include either the flexible member 3006(1)and the handle 3008(1) coupled to the first end of the tray 3004, or theflexible member 3006(n) and the handle 3008(n) coupled to the second endof the tray 3004. For example, the tray 3004 may include the flexiblemember 3006(1) and the handle 3008(1) coupled to the first end of thetray 3004 and be void of the flexible member 3006(n) and the handle3008(n) coupled to the second end of the tray 3004, or vice versa.

The flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) may include anti-jammingfeatures that prevent straight links (see, for example, FIGS. 37 and 38)of the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) from being jammed together.For example, the straight links of the flexible members 3006(1) and3006(n) may include anti-jamming features that removeably fit togethersuch that the straight links are arranged linearly together to preventthe straight links from being jammed together. In another example, thestraight links of the flexible members 3006(1) and 3006(n) may includeanti-jamming features that removeably fit together such that thestraight links are arranged perpendicularly together to prevent thestraight links from being jammed together. In the example where thestraight links include anti-jamming features, the anti-jamming featuresof the straight links of the flexible member 3006(1) prevent thestraight links of the flexible member 3006(1) from being jammed togetherwhen the tray 3004 is being slideably displaced from the second useposition 202 toward the first use position 106, and the anti-jammingfeatures of the straight links of the flexible member 3006(n) preventthe straight links of the flexible member 3006(n) from being jammedtogether when the tray 3004 is being slideably displaced from the firstuse position 106 toward the second use position 202. In some examples,the anti-jamming features of the flexible member 3006(1) or the flexiblemember 3006(n) may prevent jamming when the flexible member 3006(1) orthe flexible member 3006(n) is void (e.g., empty) or partially empty ofoptical fibers. For example, when the flexible member 3006(1) or theflexible member 3006(n) has received no or very few optical fibers, theanti-jamming features of the flexible member 3006(1) or the flexiblemember 3006(n) may prevent the flexible member 3006(1) or the flexiblemember 3006(n) that is void (e.g., empty) or partially empty of opticalfibers from jamming when the tray 3004 is slideably displaced.

FIG. 35 illustrates perspective views 3500(1) and 3500(2) of an exampleflexible member 3502 and an example handle 3504 that are lockinglyengageable to (1) lock a tray in a stowed position when a force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to thefirst use position, and (2) unlock the tray from the stowed positionwhen a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to a second use position. The handle 3504 may be pivotablycouplable to a first end of a tray or a second end of a tray to whichthe flexible member 3502 is coupled. The handle 3504 may be the same asthe handles 3008(1) and 3008(n).

While FIG. 35 illustrates the flexible member 3502 having three straightlinks 3506(1), 3506(2), and 3506(n) pivotably coupled together, theflexible member 3502 may have more than three straight links pivotablycoupled together or less than three straight links pivotably coupledtogether. The flexible member 3502 may be the same as the flexiblemembers 3006(1) and 3006(n).

FIG. 35 illustrates the handle 3504 and the flexible member 3502 maylockingly engage via a first locking member 3508 disposed on the handle3504 and a second locking member 3510 disposed on a link of the flexiblemember 3502. For example, the first locking member 3508 may include aprotrusion (illustrated in FIG. 36) extending from a bottom surface ofthe handle 3504, and the second locking member 3510 may include a slothaving a ramp, and an aperture disposed in a top surface of the link(illustrated in FIG. 36), and the slot and aperture may slideablyreceive the protrusion to locking engage the handle 3504 and theflexible member 3502. Moreover, when the slot and the aperture slideablyreceive the protrusion and lockingly engage the handle 3504 and theflexible member 3502, the locked handle 3504 and flexible member 3502lock a tray (e.g., tray 3004 illustrated in FIGS. 30-34) in the stowedposition.

In one example, when the slot and the aperture slideably receive theprotrusion and lockingly engage the handle 3504 and the flexible member3502, the locked handle 3504 and flexible member 3502 may lock a traywhen a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to the first use position and unlock the tray from the stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray fromthe stowed position to the second use position. In another example, whenthe slot and the aperture slideably receive the protrusion and lockinglyengage the handle 3504 and the flexible member 3502, the locked handle3504 and flexible member 3502 may lock a tray when a force is applied tothe tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to the second useposition and unlock the tray from the stowed position when a force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to thefirst use position.

FIG. 36 illustrates detail views 3600(1) and 3600(2) of the handle 3504and the straight link 3506(n) shown in FIG. 35. Detail view 3600(1)shows the first locking member 3508 may include a protrusion 3602extending from a bottom surface 3604 of the handle 3504. Detail view3600(2) shows the second locking member 3510 may include a slot 3606having a ramp 3608, and an aperture 3610 disposed in a top surface 3612of the straight link 3506(n).

When a user rotates the handle 3504 to lockingly engage the handle 3504with the straight link 3506(n), the slot 3606 and aperture 3610 mayslideably receive the protrusion 3602. Subsequent to lockingly engagingthe handle 3504 with the straight link 3506(n), the aperture 3610 maylock a tray (e.g., tray 3004 illustrated in FIGS. 30-34) in the stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray in aforward opening direction (i.e., in a direction where the handleattached to the tray would move out away from a chassis), and the ramp3608 may unlock the tray from the stowed position when a force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray in a rear-ward openingdirection (i.e., in a direction where the handle attached to the traywould move into a chassis).

For example, when the slot 3606 and the aperture 3610 slideably receivethe protrusion 3602 and lockingly engage the handle 3504 and thestraight link 3506(n), the aperture 3610 may lock a tray (e.g., tray3004) when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray from thestowed position to the first use position 106 and the ramp 3608 mayunlock the tray from the stowed position when a force is applied to thetray to displace the tray from the stowed position to the second useposition 202. In another example, when the slot 3606 and the aperture3610 slideably receive the protrusion 3602 and lockingly engage thehandle 3504 and the straight link 3506(n), the aperture 3610 may lock atray (e.g., tray 3004) when a force is applied to the tray to displacethe tray from the stowed position to the second use position 202 and theramp 3608 may unlock the tray from the stowed position when a force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to thefirst use position 106.

To unlock the handle 3504 with the straight link 3506(n) in a forwardopening direction (i.e., in a direction where the handle attached to thetray would move out away from a chassis), a user may displace the handle3504 orthogonally relative to straight link 3506(n). For example, a usermay lift or push the handle 3504 a distance above or below the straightlink 3506(n) to disengage the protrusion 3602 from the aperture 3610 tounlock the handle 3504 from the straight link 3506(n). For example, auser may slightly lift the handle 3504 to disengage the protrusion 3602from the aperture 3610 to unlock the handle from the straight link3506(n).

While detail views 3600(1) and 3600(2) illustrate the protrusion 3602extending from the bottom surface 3604 of the handle 3504 and the slot3606 disposed in the top surface 3612 of the straight link 3506(n), theprotrusion 3602 may extend from a top surface of the handle 3504,opposite the bottom surface 3604, and the slot 3606 may be disposed in abottom surface of the straight link 3506(n), opposite the top surface3612. In this example where a protrusion may extend from a top surfaceof the handle 3504 and a slot may be disposed in a bottom surface of thestraight link 3506(n), a user may slightly push or pull the handle 3504down away from the straight link 3506(n) to disengage the protrusionfrom the aperture to displace the tray in a forward opening direction.

Detail view 3600(1) illustrates the handle 3504 may include a member3614. The member 3614 may provide for stopping a rotation of the handle3504. For example, the member 3614 may be a protrusion, a boss, a nub, alump, etc. extending from the bottom surface 3604 and arranged proximateto the protrusion 3602 that is arranged to stop a rotation of the handle3504 when the member 3614 contacts the straight link 3506(n).

FIG. 37 illustrates a bottom view 3700(1) of an example flexible member3702 having a plurality of straight (e.g., rectilinear) links 3704(1),3704(2), 3704(3), 3704(4), 3704(5), 3704(n), a top perspective view3700(2) of the straight link 3704(1), and a bottom perspective view3700(3) of the straight link 3704(1). The flexible member 3702 may bethe same as the flexible member 3006(1) or the flexible member 3006(n).

FIG. 37 illustrates the plurality of straight links 3704(1)-3704(n) maycomprise the first straight link 3704(1) pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link 3704(2), and a third straight link 3704(3) pivotablycoupled to the second straight link 3704(2). Further, the fourthstraight link 3704(4) may be pivotably coupled to the first straightlink 3704(1), the fifth straight link 3704(5) may be pivotably coupledto the fourth straight link 3704(4), and the n^(th) straight link3704(n) may be pivotably coupled to the fifth straight link 3704(5).While FIG. 37 illustrates the flexible member 3702 including sixstraight links pivotably coupled together, the flexible member 3702 mayinclude any number of straight links. For example, the flexible member3702 may include any number of straight links to provide for slideablydisplacing a tray (e.g., tray 3004) from the stowed position to thefirst use position 106, and from the stowed position to the second useposition 202.

FIG. 37 illustrates the first straight link 3704(1) may have a length3706 shorter than a length 3708 of the third straight link 3704(3). Inone example, each of the first straight link 3704(1), the secondstraight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), the fifthstraight link 3704(5), and the n^(th) straight link 3704(n) may have thelength 3706 shorter than the length 3708 of the third straight link3704(3). In another example, one or more of the first straight link3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), and the n^(th) straight link3704(n) may have the length 3706 shorter than the length 3708 of thethird straight link 3704(3).

While FIG. 37 illustrates the third straight link 3704(3) pivotablycoupled to the second straight link 3704(2), the third straight link3704(3) may be pivotably coupled to any one of the first straight link3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or the n^(th) straight link3704(n). Further, while FIG. 37 illustrates the first straight link3704(1) pivotably coupled to the second straight link 3704(2), thefourth straight link 3704(4) pivotably coupled to the first straightlink 3704(1), the fifth straight link 3704(5) pivotably coupled to thefourth straight link 3704(4), and the nth straight link 3704(n)pivotably coupled to the fifth straight link 3704(5), any one of thefirst straight link 3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), thefourth straight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), and thenth straight link 3704(n) may be coupled to one another. For example,each of the first straight link 3704(1), the second straight link3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link3704(5), and the nth straight link 3704(n) may be substantially the sameto provide for pivotably coupling to any one of the straight links toeach other. Moreover, and as discussed above with regard to the flexiblemember 1906 illustrated in FIG. 19, because the straight links3704(1)-3704(n) may be substantially rectilinear, the flexible member3702 may be coupled to a left side or a right side of the first end of atray or a left side or a right side of a second end of a tray.

FIG. 37 illustrates a first anti-jamming feature 3710(1) and a secondanti-jamming feature 3710(2) arranged in the first straight link3704(1). Each of the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straightlink 3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), and the n^(th) straightlink 3704(n) may include the same first anti-jamming feature 3710(1) andthe same second anti-jamming feature 3710(2).

In one example, the first anti-jamming feature 3710(1) of the firststraight link 3704(1) and the second anti-jamming feature 3710(2) of thefourth straight link 3704(4) may removeably fit together such that alongitudinal axis 3712 of the first straight link 3704(1) is arrangedlinearly with a longitudinal axis 3714 of the fourth straight link3704(4) to prevent the first straight link 3704(1) from being jammedtogether with the fourth straight link 3704(4) when slideably displacinga tray. While FIG. 37 illustrates the first anti-jamming feature 3710(1)of the first straight link 3704(1) and the second anti-jamming feature3710(2) of the fourth straight link 3704(4) removeably fitting togethersuch that the longitudinal axis 3712 of the first straight link 3704(1)is arranged linearly with the longitudinal axis 3714 of the fourthstraight link 3704(4) to prevent the first straight link 3704(1) frombeing jammed together with the fourth straight link 3704(4), any one ofthe first straight link 3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), thefourth straight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or then^(th) straight link 3704(n) may removeably fit together such that anyone of the longitudinal axes of any one of the first straight link3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or the n^(th) straight link3704(n) is arranged linearly with respect to one another to prevent themfrom being jammed together.

FIG. 37 illustrates a third anti-jamming feature 3710(3) arranged in thethird straight link 3704(3). In one example, the second anti-jammingfeature 3710(2) of the second straight link 3704(2) may removeably fittogether with the third anti-jamming feature 3710(3) of the thirdstraight link 3704(3) such that a longitudinal axis 3716 of the secondstraight link 3704(2) is arranged perpendicular to a longitudinal axis3718 of the third straight link 3704(3) to prevent the second straightlink 3704(2) from being jammed together with the third straight link3704(3) when slideably displacing a tray. While FIG. 37 illustrates thesecond anti-jamming feature 3710(2) of the second straight link 3704(2)and the third anti-jamming feature 3710(3) of the third straight link3704(3) removeably fitting together such that the longitudinal axis 3716of the second straight link 3704(2) is arranged perpendicularly with thelongitudinal axis 3718 of the third straight link 3704(3) to prevent thesecond straight link 3704(2) from being jammed together with the thirdstraight link 3704(3), any one of the first straight link 3704(1), thesecond straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), thefifth straight link 3704(5), or the n^(th) straight link 3704(n) mayremoveably fit together with the third straight link 3704(3) such thatany one of the longitudinal axes of any one of the first straight link3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or the n^(th) straight link3704(n) is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the third straightlink 3704(3) to prevent them from being jammed together.

The first anti-jamming feature 3710(1), the second anti-jamming feature3710(2), or the third anti-jamming feature 3710(3) may comprise asnap-fit feature, a press-fit feature, or an interference fit feature.In one example, and as illustrated in FIG. 37, the first anti-jammingfeature 3710(1) may comprise a male snap-feature, the secondanti-jamming feature 3710(2) may comprise a plurality of female detents,and the third anti-jamming feature 3710(3) may comprise a plurality ofmale snap-features. For example, the first anti-jamming feature 3710(1)may comprise a single male snap-feature arranged to be removeablyreceived by one of the plurality of female detents of the secondanti-jamming feature 3710(2) of a neighboring straight link, and theplurality of male snap-features of the third anti-jamming feature3710(3) may comprise at least two male snap-features arranged to beremoveably received by at least two of the plurality of female detentsof the second anti-jamming feature 3710(2) of a neighboring straightlink.

Moreover, the plurality of female detents of the second anti-jammingfeatures 3710(2) of the first straight link 3704(1), the second straightlink 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link3704(5), and the n^(th) straight link 3704(n) may be radially arrangeabout a center fastener 3720 of each of the first straight link 3704(1),the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), thefifth straight link 3704(5), and the n^(th) straight link 3704(n) toprovide for linearly removeably coupling the first straight link3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), and the n^(th) straight link3704(n).

In addition, the plurality of female detents of the second anti-jammingfeatures 3710(2) of the first straight link 3704(1), the second straightlink 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link3704(5), and the nth straight link 3704(n) may be radially arrange aboutthe center fastener 3720 of each of the first straight link 3704(1), thesecond straight link 3704(2), the fourth straight link 3704(4), thefifth straight link 3704(5), and the nth straight link 3704(n) toprovide for perpendicularly removeably coupling any one of the firststraight link 3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourthstraight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or the nthstraight link 3704(n) to the third straight link 3704(3).

FIG. 38 illustrates perspective views 3800(1), 3800(2), and 3800(3) ofan example straight link 3802 of a flexible member (e.g., flexiblemember 3006(1) or flexible member 3006(n)) having a gate 3804 thatprovides for receive optical fibers when the gate 3804 is in an openposition 3806, and retaining optical fibers when the gate is in a closedposition 3808. The straight link 3802 may be the same as the firststraight link 3704(1), the second straight link 3704(2), the fourthstraight link 3704(4), the fifth straight link 3704(5), or the nthstraight link 3704(n) illustrated in FIG. 37.

Perspective view 3800(1) illustrates the gate 3804 may be pivotablyattached 3810 to a protrusion 3812 a distance 3814 from a base 3816 ofthe straight link 3802. The gate 3804 may be pivotable between the openposition 3806 shown in detail view 3800(1) and the closed position 3808shown in detail view 3800(3). When the gate 3804 is in the open position3806, the gate 3804 provides for the straight link 3802 to receiveoptical fibers, and when the gate 3804 is in the closed position 3808,the gate 3804 provides for the straight link 3802 to retain the opticalfibers. For example, the gate 3804 may be pivoted a distance from aprotrusion 3818 to the open position 3806 to provide for a user toarrange optical fibers between the protrusions 3812 and 3818, and thegate 3804 may be pivoted back to the protrusion 3818 to the closedposition 3808 to retain the optical fibers the user arranged between theprotrusions 3812 and 3818.

In some example, the gate 3804 may snap-fit, press-fit, interferencefit, etc. to the protrusion 3818. For example, the gate 3804 maysnap-fit, press-fit, interference fit, etc. to the protrusion 3818 toremoveably lock the gate 3804 in the closed position 3808. In oneexample, a force may be applied by a user to unlock the gate 3804 fromthe closed position 3808. For example, a user may apply pressure to thegate 3804 in a direction toward the base 3816 to unlock the gate 3804from the protrusion 3818.

FIG. 39 illustrates a detail view 3900 of the straight link 3802 shownin FIG. 38 having the center fastener 3720. FIG. 39 illustrates the base3816 may have a tapered thickness 3902 starting at the center fastener3720 for maximizing a fiber capacity within each link, while providing amaximum height 3904 of the center fastener 3720. For example, the base3816 of the straight link 3802 may be tapered smaller starting proximatea center of the center fastener 3720 to an outer edge 3906 of thestraight link 3802. The tapered thickness 3902 provides for a maximumfiber capacity within each link, while also allowing for the maximumheight 3904 of the center fastener 3720. The maximum height 3904 may beprovide for the center fastener 3720 to operate with a snap tension. Forexample, the maximum height 3904 of the center fastener 3720 may providea sufficient length for the center fastener 3720 to snap-fit in anopening of another straight link.

FIG. 40 illustrates a perspective view 4000 of an example tray 4002having a first end 4004 opposite a second end 4006. The tray 4002 may bethe same as the tray 104 or the tray 3004. The first end 4004 of thetray 4002 may have a first geometry 4008(1) symmetrical, about at leastone axis 4010, to a second geometry 4008(2) of the second end 4006 ofthe tray 4002. For example, the first geometry 4008(1) may have a shapeand relative arrangement of fastening features, structures, members,receptacles, etc. that are substantially the same as a shape andrelative arrangement of fastening features, structures, members,receptacles, etc. of the second geometry 4008(2). Further, the shapesand relative arrangements of fastening features, structures, members,receptacles, etc. of both of the first geometry 4008(1) and the secondgeometry 4008(2) may be symmetrically arranged, about an X-axis, aY-axis, and/or a Z-axis of the tray 4002. For example, the firstgeometry 4008(1) may have a length, a width, a height, and a pluralityof first mounting members 4012(1), 4012(2), 4012(3), and 4012(n) thatare substantially the same as a length, a width, a height and aplurality of first mounting members 4014(1), 4014(2), 4014(3), and4014(n) of the second geometry 4008(2) that may be symmetricallyarranged about an X-axis, a Y-axis, and/or a Z-axis of the tray 4002.

Either one of the first mounting members 4012(1)-4012(n) of the firstend 4004 of the tray 4002 or the second mounting members 4014(1)-4014(n)of the second end 4006 of the tray 4002 may be configured to mount anyone of a plurality of faceplates 4016(1) or 4016(n). Each faceplate ofthe plurality of faceplates 4016(1)-4016(n) may provide a respectivecable management capability for a plurality of fibers received by thetray 4002. For example, each faceplate of the plurality of faceplates4016(1)-4016(n) may provide a different cable management capability fora plurality of fibers received by the tray depending on an applicationof the tray 4002. For example, a first faceplate may provide cablemanagement capabilities for a plurality of tracer lights received by thetray, and a second faceplate may provide cable management capabilitiesfor the tray 4002 not to use a flexible member (e.g., flexible members3006(1) or 3006(n)) to maintain a bend radius of optical fibers receivedby the tray 4002.

In an example, a first faceplate of the plurality of faceplates4016(1)-4016(n) may be mounted to the first mounting members4012(1)-4012(n), and a second faceplate of the plurality of faceplates4016(1)-4016(n) may be mounted to the second mounting members4014(1)-4014(n), where the first faceplate may provide a firstrespective cable management capability different than a secondrespective cable management capability of the second faceplate. In analternative example, a faceplate of the plurality of faceplates4016(1)-4016(n) may be mounted to the first mounting members4012(1)-4012(n), and a flexible member may be mounted to the second end4006 of the tray 4002. In another alternative example, a handle (e.g.,handle 3008(1) or handle 3008(n)) may be mounted to the second end 4006of the tray 4002 along with the flexible member to lockingly engage withthe flexible member.

EXAMPLE CLAUSES

A. A data communication apparatus comprising: a tray having a first endopposite a second end, the tray arrangeable in an enclosure having afirst access side opposite a second access side, the tray slideablydisplaceable from a stowed position to a first use position or to asecond use position, such that: in the stowed position the first andsecond ends of the tray are located in the enclosure, in the first useposition the first end of the tray is disposed a distance external fromthe first access side of the enclosure, and in the second use positionthe second end of the tray is disposed a distance external from thesecond access side of the enclosure; a flexible member couplable to thefirst end of the tray or to the second end of the tray, the flexiblemember to maintain a bend radius of optical fibers received by theflexible member when the tray is slideably displaced from the stowedposition to the first use position or to the second use position; ahandle couplable to the first end of the tray or the second end of thetray to which the flexible member is coupled, wherein the flexiblemember and the handle are lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in thestowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displace the trayfrom the stowed position to the first use position, and unlock the trayfrom the stowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displacethe tray from the stowed position to the second use position.

B. A data communication apparatus as paragraph A recites, wherein thehandle and the flexible member lockingly engage via a first lockingmember disposed on the handle and a second locking member disposed on alink of the flexible member.

C. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-B,wherein the first locking member includes a protrusion extending from abottom surface of the handle; the second locking member includes a slothaving a ramp, and an aperture disposed in a top surface of the link;and the slot and aperture slideably receive the protrusion to lock thetray in the stowed position when the force is applied to the tray todisplace the tray from the stowed position to the first use position andunlock the tray from the stowed position when a force is applied to thetray to displace the tray from the stowed position to the second useposition.

D. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-C,wherein the flexible member comprises a first straight link pivotablycoupled to a second straight link, and wherein the first straight linkand the second straight link are pivotably coupled via a firstanti-jamming feature arranged in the first straight link of the flexiblemember and a second anti-jamming feature arranged in the second straightlink of the flexible member, and the first anti-jamming feature and thesecond anti-jamming feature removeably fit together such that a firstlongitudinal axis of the first straight link is arranged linearly with asecond longitudinal axis of the second straight link to prevent thefirst straight link and the second straight link from being jammedtogether.

E. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-D,further comprising a third straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link, and wherein the first straight link has a length shorterthan a length of the third straight link, and the second straight linkhas the length shorter than the length of the third straight link.

F. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-E,wherein the flexible member comprises a first straight link pivotablycoupled to a second straight link, and wherein the first straight linkand the second straight link are pivotably coupled via a firstanti-jamming feature arranged in the first straight link of the flexiblemember and a second anti-jamming feature arranged in the second straightlink of the flexible member, and the first anti-jamming feature and thesecond anti-jamming feature removeably fit together such that a firstlongitudinal axis of the first straight link is arranged perpendicularto a second longitudinal axis of the second straight link to prevent thefirst straight link and the second straight link from being jammedtogether.

G. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-F,wherein the first straight link has a length shorter than a length ofthe second straight link.

H. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-G,wherein the flexible member comprises at least one straight linkincluding a gate, the gate pivotably attached to a protrusion a distancefrom a surface of the at least one straight link, the gate pivotablebetween an open position and a closed position, wherein when the gate isin the open position, the gate provides for the at least one straightlink to receive optical fibers, and when the gate is in the closedposition, the gate provides for the at least one straight link to retainthe optical fibers.

I. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-H,wherein the flexible member includes at least one straight linkincluding a center fastener and a base having a tapered thicknessstarting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness of the base atthe center fastener is larger than a thickness of the base at an outeredge of the base to provide a maximum height of the center fastener.

J. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs A-I,further comprising a faceplate couplable to the first end of the tray orthe second end of the tray opposite the flexible member, the faceplateto provide a respective cable management capability for a plurality offibers received by the tray.

K. A data communication apparatus comprising: a tray having a first endopposite a second end, the tray arrangeable in an enclosure having afirst access side opposite a second access side, the tray slideablydisplaceable from a stowed position to a first use position or to asecond use position, such that: in the stowed position the first andsecond ends of the tray are located in the enclosure, in the first useposition the first end of the tray is disposed a distance external fromthe first access side of the enclosure, and in the second use positionthe second end of the tray is disposed a distance external from thesecond access side of the enclosure; a flexible member couplable to thefirst end of the tray or to the second end of the tray, the flexiblemember arranged to maintain a bend radius of optical fibers received bythe flexible member when the tray is slideably displaced from the stowedposition to the first use position or to the second use position andincluding: a first straight link pivotably coupled to a second straightlink; a third straight link pivotably coupled to the second straightlink or the first straight link; a first anti-jamming feature and asecond anti-jamming feature arranged in the first straight link; thefirst anti-jamming feature and the second anti-jamming feature arrangedin the second straight link; a third anti-jamming feature arranged inthe third straight link; and wherein the first anti-jamming feature ofthe first straight link and the second anti-jamming feature of thesecond straight link removeably fit together such that a firstlongitudinal axis of the first straight link is arranged linearly with asecond longitudinal axis of the second straight link to prevent thefirst straight link from being jammed together with the second straightlink, or wherein the second anti-jamming feature of the first straightlink or the second anti-jamming feature of the second straight linkremoveably fit together with the third anti-jamming feature of the thirdstraight link such that a first longitudinal axis of the first straightlink or a second longitudinal axis of the second straight link isarranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of the thirdstraight link to prevent the first straight link or the second straightlink from being jammed together with the third straight link.

L. A data communication apparatus as paragraph K recites, wherein thefirst straight link has a length shorter than a length of the thirdstraight link, and the second straight link has the length shorter thanthe length of the third straight link.

M. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs K-L,wherein the first anti-jamming feature, the second anti-jamming feature,or the third anti-jamming feature comprises a snap-fit feature, apress-fit feature, or an interference fit feature.

N. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs K-M,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a gate, the gate pivotable between an openposition and a closed position, wherein when the gate is in the openposition, the gate provides for the first straight link, the secondstraight link, or the third straight link to receive optical fibers, andwhen the gate is in the closed position, the gate provides for the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight link toretain the optical fibers.

O. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs K-N,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a center fastener and a base having a taperedthickness starting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness ofthe base at the center fastener is larger than a thickness of the baseat an outer edge of the base to provide a maximum height of the centerfastener.

P. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs K-O,further comprising a faceplate couplable to the first end of the tray orthe second end of the tray opposite the flexible member, the faceplateto provide a respective cable management capability for a plurality offibers received by the tray.

Q. A data communication apparatus comprising: a first straight linkpivotably coupled to a second straight link; a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink, wherein the first straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link pivotably coupled to the third straight link maintain abend radius of optical fibers received by the first straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link pivotably coupled to thethird straight link when a tray is slideably displaced from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position; a firstanti-jamming feature and a second anti-jamming feature arranged in thefirst straight link; the first anti-jamming feature and the secondanti-jamming feature arranged in the second straight link; a thirdanti-jamming feature arranged in the third straight link; and whereinthe first anti-jamming feature of the first straight link and the secondanti-jamming feature of the second straight link removeably fit togethersuch that a first longitudinal axis of the first straight link isarranged linearly with a second longitudinal axis of the second straightlink to prevent the first straight link from being jammed together withthe second straight link, or wherein the second anti-jamming feature ofthe first straight link or the second anti-jamming feature of the secondstraight link removeably fit together with the third anti-jammingfeature of the third straight link such that a first longitudinal axisof the first straight link or a second longitudinal axis of the secondstraight link is arranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis ofthe third straight link to prevent the first straight link or the secondstraight link from being jammed together with the third straight link.

R. A data communication apparatus as paragraph Q recites, wherein thefirst straight link has a length shorter than a length of the thirdstraight link, and the second straight link has the length shorter thanthe length of the third straight link.

S. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs Q-R,wherein the first anti-jamming feature, the second anti-jamming feature,or the third anti-jamming feature comprise a snap-fit feature, apress-fit feature, or an interference fit feature.

T. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs Q-S,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a gate, the gate pivotable between an openposition and a closed position, wherein when the gate is in the openposition, the gate provides for the first straight link, the secondstraight link, or the third straight link to receive optical fibers, andwhen the gate is in the closed position, the gate provides for the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight link toretain the optical fibers.

U. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs Q-T,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a center fastener and a base having a taperedthickness starting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness ofthe base at the center fastener is larger than a thickness of the baseat an outer edge of the base to provide a maximum height of the centerfastener.

V. A data communication apparatus comprising: a first straight linkpivotably coupled to a second straight link; a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink, wherein the first straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link pivotably coupled to the third straight link maintain abend radius of optical fibers received by the first straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link pivotably coupled to thethird straight link when a tray is slideably displaced from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position; a handlecouplable to a first end of the tray or a second end of the tray thatthe flexible member is coupled thereto, and wherein the first straightlink, the second straight link, the third straight link, and the handleare lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in a stowed position when aforce is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to a first use position; unlock the tray from the stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray fromthe stowed position to a second use position.

W. A data communication apparatus as paragraph V recites, wherein thehandle and the first straight link, the second straight link, and thethird straight link are lockingly engageable via a first locking memberdisposed on a portion of the handle and a second locking member disposedon a portion of the first straight link.

X. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-W,wherein: the first locking member includes a protrusion, the portionextending from a bottom surface of the handle; the second locking memberincludes a slot having a ramp, and an aperture disposed in a top surfaceof the first straight link; and the slot and aperture slideably receivethe protrusion to lock the tray in the stowed position when the force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to thefirst use position and unlock the tray from the stowed position when aforce is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to the second use position.

Y. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-X,further comprising a first anti-jamming feature and a secondanti-jamming arranged in the first straight link and the firstanti-jamming feature and the second anti-jamming feature arranged in thesecond straight link, and the first anti-jamming feature of the firststraight link and the second anti-jamming feature of the second straightlink removeably fit together such that a first longitudinal axis of thefirst straight link is arranged linearly with a second longitudinal axisof the second straight link to prevent the first straight link frombeing jammed together with the second straight link.

Z. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-Y,wherein the first straight link has a length shorter than a length ofthe third straight link, and the second straight link has the lengthshorter than the length of the third straight link.

AA. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-Z,further comprising a third anti-jamming feature arranged in the thirdstraight link, and the second anti-jamming feature of the first straightlink or the second anti-jamming feature of the second straight linkremoveably fit together with the third anti-jamming feature of the thirdstraight link such that a first longitudinal axis of the first straightlink or a second longitudinal axis of the second straight link isarranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis of the thirdstraight link to prevent the first straight link or the second straightlink from being jammed together with the third straight link.

BB. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-AA,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a gate, the gate pivotable between an openposition and a closed position, wherein when the gate is in the openposition, the gate provides for the first straight link, the secondstraight link, or the third straight link to receive optical fibers, andwhen the gate is in the closed position, the gate provides for the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight link toretain the optical fibers.

CC. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs V-BB,wherein the first straight link, the second straight link, or the thirdstraight link includes a center fastener and a base having a taperedthickness starting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness ofthe base at the center fastener is larger than a thickness of the baseat an outer edge of the base to provide a maximum height of the centerfastener.

DD. A data communication apparatus comprising: a tray having a first endopposite a second end, the first end having a first geometrysymmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry of the secondend; first mounting members arranged in the first end of the tray, thefirst mounting members configured to mount any one of a plurality offaceplates, each of the plurality of faceplates providing a respectivecable management capability for a plurality of fibers received by thetray; second mounting members arranged in the second end of the tray,the second mounting members configured to mount any one of the pluralityof faceplates; and wherein the first mounting members are symmetrical,about the at least one axis, to the second mounting members.

EE. A data communication apparatus as paragraph DD recites, furthercomprising a faceplate of the plurality of faceplates mounted to thefirst mounting members, and a flexible member mounted to the second endof the tray.

FF. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs DD-EE,wherein the flexible member comprises at least one straight linkincluding a gate, the gate pivotably attached to a protrusion a distancefrom a surface of the at least one straight link, the gate pivotablebetween an open position and a closed position, wherein when the gate isin the open position, the gate provides for the at least one straightlink to receive optical fibers, and when the gate is in the closedposition, the gate provides for the at least one straight link to retainthe optical fibers.

GG. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs DD-FF,wherein the flexible member comprises at least one straight linkincluding a center fastener and a base having a tapered thicknessstarting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness of the base atthe center fastener is larger than a thickness of the base at an outeredge of the base to provide a maximum height of the center fastener.

HH. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs DD-GG,further comprising a handle mounted to at least one mounting member ofthe second mounting members, and wherein the flexible member and thehandle are lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in a stowed positionwhen a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to a first use position; unlock the tray from the stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray fromthe stowed position to a second use position.

II. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs DD-HH,further comprising a first faceplate of the plurality of faceplatesmounted to the first mounting members, and a second faceplate of theplurality of faceplates mounted to the second mounting members, thefirst faceplate providing a first respective cable management capabilitydifferent than a second respective cable management capability of thesecond faceplate.

JJ. A data communication apparatus comprising: a chassis having a firstaccess side opposite a second access side; a tray arrangeable in thechassis, the tray having a first end opposite a second end, the trayslideably displaceable from a stowed position to a first use position orto a second use position, wherein: in the stowed position the first andsecond ends of the tray are located in the chassis; in the first useposition the first end of the tray is disposed a distance external fromthe first access side of the chassis; and in the second use position thesecond end of the tray is disposed a distance external from the secondaccess side of the chassis; a cassette arranged in the tray, thecassette having a first end opposite a second end, the cassetteincluding: a shuttle member arranged in the first end of the cassetteopposite a connector fastening station arranged in the second end of thecassette, the shuttle member slideably displaceable from a firstposition to a second position, wherein: when in the first position theshuttle member is disposed a distance from the connector fasteningstation; and when in the second position the shuttle member is disposeda distance from the connector fastening station greater than thedistance when the shuttle member is in the first position; and whereinwhen the tray is in the first use position, at least a portion of theshuttle member is disposed a distance external from the first accessside of the chassis, and when the tray is in the second use position, atleast a portion of the connector fastening station is disposed adistance external from the second access side of the chassis.

KK. A data communication apparatus as paragraph JJ recites, furthercomprising a plurality of optical fibers received by the shuttle memberand positioned adjacent to the connector fastening station.

LL. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-KK,wherein the plurality of optical fibers are routed through the shuttlemember when the tray is in the first use position and the shuttle memberis in the first position or the second position.

MM. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-LL,wherein the plurality of optical fibers each have a termination, and atleast one termination of the terminations is removeably connected to anadapter fastened to the connector fastening station when the tray is inthe second use position.

NN. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-MM,wherein the connector fastening station fastens respective adapters to aportion of the second end of the cassette in a staggered pattern.

OO. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-NN,wherein the staggered pattern of the respective adapters includes afirst adapter and a second adapter disposed in a first plane, and athird adapter and a fourth adapter disposed in a second plane, the firstplane space a distance from the second plane.

PP. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-OO,further comprising one or more apertures arranged in a portion of thetray proximate to the connector fastening station, wherein the one ormore apertures provide access to an adapter fastened to the connectorfastening station.

QQ. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-PP,wherein the chassis is a 19 inch chassis having a left side and a rightside, and the tray is a standard tray arrangeable in both the left sideand the right side.

RR. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-QQ,further comprising a flexible member having an end coupleable to thefirst end of the tray or the second end of the tray, the flexible memberfor maintaining a bend radius of the optical fibers received by theflexible member.

SS. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-RR,wherein the flexible member includes at least a first straight linkshorter than a second straight link, the first straight link pivotablycoupled to the second straight link.

TT. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-SS,wherein the flexible member includes at least a first straight link andsecond straight link, the first straight link and the second straightlink being shorter than a third straight link, and the first straightlink pivotably coupled to the second straight link.

UU. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-TT,further comprising a braking member arrangeable adjacent to the firstside or the second side of the chassis, the braking member includingprotrusions having offset points of contact, the protrusions forcontacting a plurality of optical fibers arranged in the protrusions andpreventing the plurality of optical fibers from being displaced,relative to the protrusions, up to a threshold amount of force appliedto the optical fibers.

VV. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-UU,wherein the cassette is a first cassette, the first cassette is arrangedin a first portion of the tray, and further including a second cassettearranged in a second portion, adjacent to the first portion, of thetray.

WW. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-VV,wherein the second cassette includes a first connector fastening stationarranged in a first end of the second cassette and a second connectorfastening station arranged in a second end, opposite the first end, ofthe second cassette.

XX. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-WW,wherein the first connector fastening station fastens respectiveadapters to a portion of the first end of the second cassette in astaggered pattern or the second connector fastening station fastensrespective adapters to a portion of the second end of the secondcassette in the staggered pattern.

YY. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-XX,wherein the second cassette has a first portion adjacent to a secondportion, and at least one connector module removeably receivable by thefirst portion or the second portion.

ZZ. A data communication apparatus according to any of paragraphs JJ-YY,wherein the at least one connector module includes a first connectorfastening station arranged in a first end, opposite a second end of theat least one connector module, and a second connector fastening stationarranged in the second end of the at least one connector module, thefirst connector fastening station fastens respective adapters to aportion of the first end of the at least one connector module or thesecond connector fastening station fastens respective adapters to aportion of the second end of the at least one connector module.

CONCLUSION

Although the invention has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the invention. For example, whileembodiments are described having certain shapes, sizes, andconfigurations, these shapes, sizes, and configurations are merelyillustrative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data communication apparatus comprising: a trayhaving a first end opposite a second end, the tray arrangeable in anenclosure having a first access side opposite a second access side, thetray slideably displaceable from a stowed position to a first useposition or to a second use position, such that: in the stowed positionthe first and second ends of the tray are located in the enclosure, inthe first use position the first end of the tray is disposed a distanceexternal from the first access side of the enclosure, and in the seconduse position the second end of the tray is disposed a distance externalfrom the second access side of the enclosure; a flexible membercouplable to the first end of the tray or to the second end of the tray,the flexible member to maintain a bend radius of optical fibers receivedby the flexible member when the tray is slideably displaced from thestowed position to the first use position or to the second use position;a handle couplable to the first end of the tray or the second end of thetray to which the flexible member is coupled, wherein the flexiblemember and the handle are lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in thestowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displace the trayfrom the stowed position to the first use position, and unlock the trayfrom the stowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displacethe tray from the stowed position to the second use position.
 2. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle and theflexible member lockingly engage via a first locking member disposed onthe handle and a second locking member disposed on a link of theflexible member.
 3. The data communication apparatus of claim 2,wherein: the first locking member includes a protrusion extending from abottom surface of the handle; the second locking member includes a slothaving a ramp, and an aperture disposed in a top surface of the link;and the slot and aperture slideably receive the protrusion to lock thetray in the stowed position when the force is applied to the tray todisplace the tray from the stowed position to the first use position andunlock the tray from the stowed position when a force is applied to thetray to displace the tray from the stowed position to the second useposition.
 4. The data communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein theflexible member comprises a first straight link pivotably coupled to asecond straight link, and wherein the first straight link and the secondstraight link are pivotably coupled via a first anti-jamming featurearranged in the first straight link of the flexible member and a secondanti-jamming feature arranged in the second straight link of theflexible member, and the first anti-jamming feature and the secondanti-jamming feature removeably fit together such that a firstlongitudinal axis of the first straight link is arranged linearly with asecond longitudinal axis of the second straight link to prevent thefirst straight link and the second straight link from being jammedtogether.
 5. The data communication apparatus of claim 4, furthercomprising a third straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link, and wherein the first straight link has a length shorterthan a length of the third straight link, and the second straight linkhas the length shorter than the length of the third straight link. 6.The data communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible membercomprises a first straight link pivotably coupled to a second straightlink, and wherein the first straight link and the second straight linkare pivotably coupled via a first anti-jamming feature arranged in thefirst straight link of the flexible member and a second anti-jammingfeature arranged in the second straight link of the flexible member, andthe first anti-jamming feature and the second anti-jamming featureremoveably fit together such that a first longitudinal axis of the firststraight link is arranged perpendicular to a second longitudinal axis ofthe second straight link to prevent the first straight link and thesecond straight link from being jammed together.
 7. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first straight link hasa length shorter than a length of the second straight link.
 8. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible membercomprises at least one straight link including a gate, the gatepivotably attached to a protrusion a distance from a surface of the atleast one straight link, the gate pivotable between an open position anda closed position, wherein when the gate is in the open position, thegate provides for the at least one straight link to receive opticalfibers, and when the gate is in the closed position, the gate providesfor the at least one straight link to retain the optical fibers.
 9. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible memberincludes at least one straight link including a center fastener and abase having a tapered thickness starting at the center fastener, andwherein a thickness of the base at the center fastener is larger than athickness of the base at an outer edge of the base to provide a maximumheight of the center fastener.
 10. The data communication apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a faceplate couplable to the first end ofthe tray or the second end of the tray opposite the flexible member, thefaceplate to provide a respective cable management capability for aplurality of fibers received by the tray.
 11. A data communicationapparatus comprising: a tray having a first end opposite a second end,the tray arrangeable in an enclosure having a first access side oppositea second access side, the tray slideably displaceable from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position, such that:in the stowed position the first and second ends of the tray are locatedin the enclosure, in the first use position the first end of the tray isdisposed a distance external from the first access side of theenclosure, and in the second use position the second end of the tray isdisposed a distance external from the second access side of theenclosure; a flexible member couplable to the first end of the tray orto the second end of the tray, the flexible member arranged to maintaina bend radius of optical fibers received by the flexible member when thetray is slideably displaced from the stowed position to the first useposition or to the second use position and including: a first straightlink pivotably coupled to a second straight link; a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink; a first anti-jamming feature and a second anti-jamming featurearranged in the first straight link; the first anti-jamming feature andthe second anti-jamming feature arranged in the second straight link; athird anti-jamming feature arranged in the third straight link; andwherein the first anti-jamming feature of the first straight link andthe second anti-jamming feature of the second straight link removeablyfit together such that a first longitudinal axis of the first straightlink is arranged linearly with a second longitudinal axis of the secondstraight link to prevent the first straight link from being jammedtogether with the second straight link, or wherein the secondanti-jamming feature of the first straight link or the secondanti-jamming feature of the second straight link removeably fit togetherwith the third anti-jamming feature of the third straight link such thata first longitudinal axis of the first straight link or a secondlongitudinal axis of the second straight link is arranged perpendicularto a third longitudinal axis of the third straight link to prevent thefirst straight link or the second straight link from being jammedtogether with the third straight link.
 12. The data communicationapparatus of claim 11, wherein the first straight link has a lengthshorter than a length of the third straight link, and the secondstraight link has the length shorter than the length of the thirdstraight link.
 13. The data communication apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe first anti-jamming feature, the second anti-jamming feature, or thethird anti-jamming feature comprises a snap-fit feature, a press-fitfeature, or an interference fit feature.
 14. The data communicationapparatus of claim 11, wherein the first straight link, the secondstraight link, or the third straight link includes a gate, the gatepivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein whenthe gate is in the open position, the gate provides for the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight link toreceive optical fibers, and when the gate is in the closed position, thegate provides for the first straight link, the second straight link, orthe third straight link to retain the optical fibers.
 15. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first straight link,the second straight link, or the third straight link includes a centerfastener and a base having a tapered thickness starting at the centerfastener, and wherein a thickness of the base at the center fastener islarger than a thickness of the base at an outer edge of the base toprovide a maximum height of the center fastener.
 16. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a faceplatecouplable to the first end of the tray or the second end of the trayopposite the flexible member, the faceplate to provide a respectivecable management capability for a plurality of fibers received by thetray.
 17. A data communication apparatus comprising: a first straightlink pivotably coupled to a second straight link; a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink, wherein the first straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link pivotably coupled to the third straight link maintain abend radius of optical fibers received by the first straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link pivotably coupled to thethird straight link when a tray is slideably displaced from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position; a firstanti-jamming feature and a second anti-jamming feature arranged in thefirst straight link; the first anti-jamming feature and the secondanti-jamming feature arranged in the second straight link; a thirdanti-jamming feature arranged in the third straight link; and whereinthe first anti-jamming feature of the first straight link and the secondanti-jamming feature of the second straight link removeably fit togethersuch that a first longitudinal axis of the first straight link isarranged linearly with a second longitudinal axis of the second straightlink to prevent the first straight link from being jammed together withthe second straight link, or wherein the second anti-jamming feature ofthe first straight link or the second anti-jamming feature of the secondstraight link removeably fit together with the third anti-jammingfeature of the third straight link such that a first longitudinal axisof the first straight link or a second longitudinal axis of the secondstraight link is arranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis ofthe third straight link to prevent the first straight link or the secondstraight link from being jammed together with the third straight link.18. The data communication apparatus of claim 17, wherein the firststraight link has a length shorter than a length of the third straightlink, and the second straight link has the length shorter than thelength of the third straight link.
 19. The data communication apparatusof claim 17, wherein the first anti-jamming feature, the secondanti-jamming feature, or the third anti-jamming feature comprise asnap-fit feature, a press-fit feature, or an interference fit feature.20. The data communication apparatus of claim 17, wherein the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight linkincludes a gate, the gate pivotable between an open position and aclosed position, wherein when the gate is in the open position, the gateprovides for the first straight link, the second straight link, or thethird straight link to receive optical fibers, and when the gate is inthe closed position, the gate provides for the first straight link, thesecond straight link, or the third straight link to retain the opticalfibers.
 21. The data communication apparatus of claim 17, wherein thefirst straight link, the second straight link, or the third straightlink includes a center fastener and a base having a tapered thicknessstarting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness of the base atthe center fastener is larger than a thickness of the base at an outeredge of the base to provide a maximum height of the center fastener. 22.A data communication apparatus comprising: a first straight linkpivotably coupled to a second straight link; a third straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link or the first straightlink, wherein the first straight link pivotably coupled to the secondstraight link pivotably coupled to the third straight link maintain abend radius of optical fibers received by the first straight linkpivotably coupled to the second straight link pivotably coupled to thethird straight link when a tray is slideably displaced from a stowedposition to a first use position or to a second use position; a handlecouplable to a first end of the tray or a second end of the tray thatthe flexible member is coupled thereto, and wherein the first straightlink, the second straight link, the third straight link, and the handleare lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in a stowed position when aforce is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to a first use position; unlock the tray from the stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray fromthe stowed position to a second use position.
 23. The data communicationapparatus of claim 22, wherein the handle and the first straight link,the second straight link, and the third straight link are lockinglyengageable via a first locking member disposed on a portion of thehandle and a second locking member disposed on a portion of the firststraight link.
 24. The data communication apparatus of claim 23,wherein: the first locking member includes a protrusion, the portionextending from a bottom surface of the handle; the second locking memberincludes a slot having a ramp, and an aperture disposed in a top surfaceof the first straight link; and the slot and aperture slideably receivethe protrusion to lock the tray in the stowed position when the force isapplied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowed position to thefirst use position and unlock the tray from the stowed position when aforce is applied to the tray to displace the tray from the stowedposition to the second use position.
 25. The data communicationapparatus of claim 22, further comprising a first anti-jamming featureand a second anti-jamming arranged in the first straight link and thefirst anti-jamming feature and the second anti-jamming feature arrangedin the second straight link, and the first anti-jamming feature of thefirst straight link and the second anti-jamming feature of the secondstraight link removeably fit together such that a first longitudinalaxis of the first straight link is arranged linearly with a secondlongitudinal axis of the second straight link to prevent the firststraight link from being jammed together with the second straight link.26. The data communication apparatus of claim 25, wherein the firststraight link has a length shorter than a length of the third straightlink, and the second straight link has the length shorter than thelength of the third straight link.
 27. The data communication apparatusof claim 25, further comprising a third anti-jamming feature arranged inthe third straight link, and the second anti-jamming feature of thefirst straight link or the second anti-jamming feature of the secondstraight link removeably fit together with the third anti-jammingfeature of the third straight link such that a first longitudinal axisof the first straight link or a second longitudinal axis of the secondstraight link is arranged perpendicular to a third longitudinal axis ofthe third straight link to prevent the first straight link or the secondstraight link from being jammed together with the third straight link.28. The data communication apparatus of claim 22, wherein the firststraight link, the second straight link, or the third straight linkincludes a gate, the gate pivotable between an open position and aclosed position, wherein when the gate is in the open position, the gateprovides for the first straight link, the second straight link, or thethird straight link to receive optical fibers, and when the gate is inthe closed position, the gate provides for the first straight link, thesecond straight link, or the third straight link to retain the opticalfibers.
 29. The data communication apparatus of claim 22, wherein thefirst straight link, the second straight link, or the third straightlink includes a center fastener and a base having a tapered thicknessstarting at the center fastener, and wherein a thickness of the base atthe center fastener is larger than a thickness of the base at an outeredge of the base to provide a maximum height of the center fastener. 30.A data communication apparatus comprising: a tray having a first endopposite a second end, the first end having a first geometrysymmetrical, about at least one axis, to a second geometry of the secondend; first mounting members arranged in the first end of the tray, thefirst mounting members configured to mount any one of a plurality offaceplates, each of the plurality of faceplates providing a respectivecable management capability for a plurality of fibers received by thetray; second mounting members arranged in the second end of the tray,the second mounting members configured to mount any one of the pluralityof faceplates; and wherein the first mounting members are symmetrical,about the at least one axis, to the second mounting members.
 31. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a faceplateof the plurality of faceplates mounted to the first mounting members,and a flexible member mounted to the second end of the tray.
 32. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 31, wherein the flexible membercomprises at least one straight link including a gate, the gatepivotably attached to a protrusion a distance from a surface of the atleast one straight link, the gate pivotable between an open position anda closed position, wherein when the gate is in the open position, thegate provides for the at least one straight link to receive opticalfibers, and when the gate is in the closed position, the gate providesfor the at least one straight link to retain the optical fibers.
 33. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 31, wherein the flexible membercomprises at least one straight link including a center fastener and abase having a tapered thickness starting at the center fastener, andwherein a thickness of the base at the center fastener is larger than athickness of the base at an outer edge of the base to provide a maximumheight of the center fastener.
 34. The data communication apparatus ofclaim 31, further comprising a handle mounted to at least one mountingmember of the second mounting members, and wherein the flexible memberand the handle are lockingly engageable to: lock the tray in a stowedposition when a force is applied to the tray to displace the tray fromthe stowed position to a first use position; unlock the tray from thestowed position when a force is applied to the tray to displace the trayfrom the stowed position to a second use position.
 35. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 30, further comprising a firstfaceplate of the plurality of faceplates mounted to the first mountingmembers, and a second faceplate of the plurality of faceplates mountedto the second mounting members, the first faceplate providing a firstrespective cable management capability different than a secondrespective cable management capability of the second faceplate.